Open Access

Miriam Trübner, Alexander Patzina, Judith Lehmann, Miriam Ortiz, Rasmus Hoffmann, Christian S. Kessler

• Contemporary medicine encompasses a diverse range of treatment options ranging from conventional to non-conventional methods used separately or in combination. Concurrently, the usage of non-conventional methods in societies has increased over time. Based on a nationwide German online survey on the “Acceptance and Use of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM)” (respondents aged 18–75 years; N = 4065) employing Latent Class Analysis, we identify five groups of dispositions toward these approaches. Most individuals moderately favor both TCIM and conventional medicine. Individuals favoring TCIM or alternative approaches or strictly advocating conventional medicine constitute the minority. We find that preferring TCIM is associated with healthier behavior. We also identify a considerable share of individuals – those with lower educational and financial resources – who are indifferent or uninformed, especially regarding integrative and complementary medicine. Overall,Contemporary medicine encompasses a diverse range of treatment options ranging from conventional to non-conventional methods used separately or in combination. Concurrently, the usage of non-conventional methods in societies has increased over time. Based on a nationwide German online survey on the “Acceptance and Use of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM)” (respondents aged 18–75 years; N = 4065) employing Latent Class Analysis, we identify five groups of dispositions toward these approaches. Most individuals moderately favor both TCIM and conventional medicine. Individuals favoring TCIM or alternative approaches or strictly advocating conventional medicine constitute the minority. We find that preferring TCIM is associated with healthier behavior. We also identify a considerable share of individuals – those with lower educational and financial resources – who are indifferent or uninformed, especially regarding integrative and complementary medicine. Overall, while increasing TCIM use may be associated with healthier lifestyles, its wider adoption harbors potential for intensifying health inequalities.…