Patients rely on multiple sources during their illness experience in addition to the professional health care provider from whom they have sought assistance. Popular, folk and practitioners of other professional medicine can all, or in part, impact on a patient's health care beliefs and behaviors.

Being aware that patients may use resources in multiple health care sectors simultaneously for an illness episode can provide greater understanding of a patient's behavior.

Don't hesitate to ask what other practitioners or treatments a patient may be using to treat their illness.

Popular Sector

Folk Sector

Professional Sector