CAM use in Denmark

CAM use in Denmark

• 20,1% have used CAM within the last year.
• 40,2% of the population have had CAM experience at some point during their lifetime.
• The typical CAM-user is a woman, 30-66 years of age, 13-14 years at school.

“Use of complementary and alternative treatment in Denmark”, data collected 2003, published Feb. 2006, by The Knowledge & Research Center for Alternative Medicine and National Institute of Public Health. The survey is based on 2593 interviews with Danes, + 18 years.

The most commonly used CAM therapies in Denmark are massage/osteopathy, reflexology and acupuncture. Most of the CAM-treatment providers in Denmark are educated and are practising outside of the established health service. Only a few physicians provide CAM treatments.

No CAM treatment will be paid for by the public health insurance, except for a few instances, ie acupuncture carried out by a GP. Denmark has a non-restrictive legislation on CAM. Anybody may provide CAM, but certain medical procedures and the treatment of certain diseases, still must be carried out by established health care personnel.

Interestingly conventional health care personnel are showing a growing interest in exploring CAM. Recently (2006) the nurses have formed a CAM-organization within “The Danish Nurses Organization”.

© Jesper Madsen, 2006