Holistic physicians and family practitioners: an empirical comparison.

We report on a survey of 340 self-identified, holistic physicians (members of the American Holistic Medical Association) and a group of 142 California family practitioners (FPs). The groups are quite similar in age, gender, socioeconomic origin, and marital status. Holistic physicians are more likely to be from rural origins, not board certified, in private practice, see fewer patients, and use hospitals less. Holistic physicians also evaluate and utilize a number of "holistic" medical techniques and interactional styles with patients quite differently than FPs. In addition, the two groups are differentiated by the importance they attribute to religious and/or spiritual factors, as well as their own experiences in psychotherapeutic situations, that influence their views of health, illness, and healing.