Table 2 Comparison of attitudes to health and CAM scores of users and non-users of self-management

1. Attitude towards alternative medicine (max score 25):

-I think most alternative therapies do not work.

15.08

2.94

14.78

2.40

0.3

-I would recommend alternative medicines to anyone of my friends who might get ill

-I would never use the services of alternative therapists.

-I trust most alternative therapists.

-I think most alternative therapists are quacks

2. Dissatisfaction with medical outcomes (max score 30):

-I feel confident that doctors are able to cure most illnesses.

13.44

3.78

12.85

3.36

0.1

-Doctors can rarely do much for sick people.

-Many times doctors don't help their patients get well.

-I have very little confidence in the ability of most GPs to give the correct diagnosis.

-Doctors often over-prescribe drugs

-I think conventional medicine is unable to treat a lot of illnesses.

3. Dissatisfaction with medical encounter (max score 35):

-Most doctors pay a lot of attention to the individual needs of their patients.

18.75

5.04

17.57

4.45

0.03

-Most doctors have a lot of respect for their patients.

-Most doctors listen carefully to their patients during consultations.

-Most doctors do not give enough explanations to their patients.

-Most doctors spend too little time with their patients.

-Doctors have too much power over their patients.

-Most doctors are too authoritative in their relationship with their patients

4. Natural remedies (max score 30):

-I prefer natural remedies to chemical drugs

15.85

2.64

15.66

2.56

0.5

-Most prescription drugs have negative side effects.

-Additives such as preservatives and artificial colouring are harmful to health.

-Most prescription drugs obtained from pharmacies are effective.

-I think it is necessary for people who are ill to take medicines that doctors prescribe.

-Without medications that doctors prescribe, illnesses can never be cured.

5. Holism (max score 20):

-Health is more than just keeping your body fit

15.09

1.96

14.55

1.70

0.009

-Health is about harmonising your body, mind and spirit.

-Imbalances in a person's life are the major causes of illnesses

-Treatments should concentrate only on symptoms rather than the whole person.

6. Rejection of authority (max score 25):

-Health practitioners should treat their patients as equals

18.53

2.32

17.80

2.01

0.003

-Patients should be able to have an input in what remedies health practitioners prescribe.

-Patients should have some say over what goes on during consultations.

-Health practitioners should act as authority figures in their relationship with patients.

7. Individual responsibility (max score 15):

-Achieving good health requires a change of lifestyle.

11.28

1.93

11.69

1.67

0.03

-Achieving good health requires hard work and commitment

-We are what we are because of the choices we make.

8. Consumerism (max score 5):

-It's good that nowadays we have so many different types of therapies to choose from.

3.84

0.70

3.88

0.73

0.6