Table 2.
Complementary, Alternative, and Conventional Medicine Attitudes Scale (CACMAS)
| Subscale Factor Loading |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Questions (answered on a scale of 1–7, with 1 = strongly disagree and 7 = strongly agree) | P | H | D |
| 1. The health of my body, mind, and spirit are related, and whoever cares for my health should take them into account. (3) | .435 | .010 | .272 |
| 2. I have a more equal relationship with my complementary practitioner than with my doctor. (5) | .579 | .160 | .368 |
| 3. Effects of complementary therapies are usually the result of a placebo effect. (Reverse scored) (6) | −.517 | −.003 | −.010 |
| 4. I feel that complementary treatment is a more natural form of healing than orthodox medicine. (7) | .595 | .468 | −.005 |
| 5. Complementary therapies are a threat to public health. (Reverse scored) (9) | −.716 | .036 | .090 |
| 6. I feel so relaxed after complementary treatment sessions. (17) | .575 | .122 | −.013 |
| 7. I believe that complementary medicine enables me to take a more active part in maintaining my health. (18) | .588 | .384 | .046 |
| 8. Most complementary therapies stimulate the body’s natural therapeutic powers. (19) | .639 | .403 | .241 |
| 9. Complementary therapies include ideas and methods from which conventional medicine could benefit. (20) | .658 | .132 | .082 |
| 10. Treatments not tested in a scientifically recognized manner should be discouraged. (Reverse scored) (21) | −.521 | −.079 | .018 |
| 11. I believe that complementary therapy will be more effective for my problem than orthodox medicine. (22) | .538 | .213 | .325 |
| 12. The explanation of my illness that I was given by my complementary practitioner made sense. (23) | .631 | .210 | −.175 |
| 13. I value the emphasis on treating the whole person. (24) | .681 | .037 | .078 |
| 14. The body is essentially self-healing and the task of a health care provider is to assist the healing process. (2) | .096 | .605 | .265 |
| 15. Physical and mental health are maintained by an underlying energy or vital force. (10) | .220 | .538 | .214 |
| 16. A patient’s symptoms should be regarded as a manifestation of a general imbalance or dysfunction affecting the whole body. (12) | .249 | .482 | .095 |
| 17. Health and disease are a reflection of balance between positive life enhancing forces and negative destructive forces. (13) | −.038 | .993 | .109 |
| 18. The last time I went to see a medical doctor, I was very satisfied with the care I received. (Reverse scored) (1) | −.144 | .061 | −.748 |
| 19. The last time I had important questions about my health care and I asked a medical doctor about them, I understood the answer. (Reverse scored) (4) | −.018 | −.076 | −.357 |
| 20. I have a lot of confidence in the medical doctor I see most often for my health care. (Reverse scored) (8) | .099 | −.134 | −.807 |
| 21. I don’t trust doctors and hospitals, so I use them as little as possible. (11) | .210 | .283 | .474 |
| 22. The last time I saw a medical doctor, he or she did not understand my problem. (14) | .040 | .177 | .700 |
| 23. The last time I saw a medical doctor, he or she did not give me enough time. (25) | .030 | .107 | .574 |
| 24. I found it difficult to talk to my doctor. *(16) | .065 | .076 | .523 |
| 25. A patient’s expectations, health beliefs, and values should be integrated into the health care process. ** (15) | .304 | .203 | −.010 |
P = Philosophical congruence with CAM
D = Dissatisfaction with conventional medicine
H = Holistic balance
Number in parenthesis indicates question order.
*
Question not included in analyses due to low reliability
**
Question not included in analyses due to low factor loading