Browsing by Author "O'Neill, Jennifer Lynn"

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An assessment of health literacy about complementary and alternative medicine in adult residents of Flathead County, Montana
(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2007) O'Neill, Jennifer Lynn; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Jean Shreffler-Grant
The purpose of this study was to explore health literacy about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in adult residents of Flathead County, Montana. The combination of documented low health literacy levels in U.S. and the proliferating use of CAM throughout the country create the potential for poor healthcare outcomes. Previous research indicates that due to lack of access to healthcare, rural residents often utilize CAM. Quantitative research methods and Margaret Newman's Health as an Expanding Consciousness provided the underlying framework for this study. A systematic sampling of 92 residents of Flathead County participated in the study. The data were collected by use of a mail survey which included a ten item CAM health literacy quiz and was analyzed using the SPSS 15 version statistical software program. The results indicated that almost half of the participants used CAM providers and more than half used self directed CAM. Musculoskeletal pain was the most frequently reported health problem for utilizing CAM.