Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Slovakia from the Social Science Perspective

Since the early 90's in the sociology of medicine and even in medical anthropology we have observed a growing number of publications dealing with the complementary alternative medicine (CAM). The article's first and second sections are reviewing the terminology related to the selected field of research and analysis the acceptance of CAM. The analysis of sociological surveys related to CAM in Slovakia is presented in the next part of article. Authors are using regression analysis to describe main supporting factors which are explaining support for CAM. Moreover, the authors focus on the role of homeopathy in contemporary Slovakian society and analyze legitimizing efforts of this alternative medical system. On the selected cases, the article shows how the homeopathy in Slovakia is dealing with biomedical monopoly on medical care and limited access to economic and social resources. Finally, the article points out that more research will need to be done that we can deeply understand all relevant aspects of CAM in Slovakia.