Patient satisfaction with primary care: A comparison between conventional care and traditional Chinese medicine

SummaryObjectivesThe evaluation of patient satisfaction with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) versus conventional medicine (COM) in Swiss primary care.DesignA cross-sectional study was performed with questionnaires aimed at fulfilment of expectations, perceived treatment effects, and patient satisfaction.SettingParticipants were 51 certificated TCM physicians, 71 COM physicians, and 2530 adult patients.ResultsAmong patients seeking primary care in Switzerland, those who choose a conventional physician with additional certification in TCM have a higher chance of being completely satisfied with their treatment than patients who choose a physician educated only in COM.ConclusionsPhysicians who supply TCM in addition to COM are able to satisfy the needs of their patients more completely than solely COM-practicing physicians. Explanations for this difference include less frequent side effects in TCM, better TCM physician–patient interaction with longer duration of consultation, and different treatment expectations of patients seeking TCM.