OBJECTIVE: A data analysis has been performed to investigate to what extent naturopathy may contribute to reducing costs of medical care. METHODS: The study included anonymous data from the second quarter of 1988 obtained from the North-Württemberg Kassenärztlichen Vereinigung (insurance company). Physicians practicing in this area at that time were compared to a similarly large collective of those designated additionally as naturopaths and/or homeopaths. RESULTS: Differences between the two groups were significant with respect to drug costs and disability certificates however not with respect to physician fees.
OBJECTIVE: A data analysis has been performed to investigate to what extent naturopathy may contribute to reducing costs of medical care. METHODS: The study included anonymous data from the second quarter of 1988 obtained from the North-Württemberg Kassenärztlichen Vereinigung (insurance company). Physicians practicing in this area at that time were compared to a similarly large collective of those designated additionally as naturopaths and/or homeopaths. RESULTS: Differences between the two groups were significant with respect to drug costs and disability certificates however not with respect to physician fees.
Authors: Thomas Ostermann; Andre-Michael Beer; Vassya Bankova; Andreas Michalsen Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med Date: 2013-06-24 Impact factor: 2.629