In 2002, sample adults were asked about their use of several vitamins and minerals in high dose. See VITYCOEN for the full list of vitamins/minerals recognized by the 2002 NHIS.

Respondents who had taken high doses of one or more vitamins or minerals, such as those listed in VITYCOEN, were asked if they had ever seen a practitioner for such therapy (VITPRAC). Those respondents with a "Yes" response to VITPRAC were asked the question for VITPRACYR.

In general, however, the use of vitamins does not require seeing a practitioner. Many other forms of complementary and alternative medicine inquired about in the NHIS do require a practitioner (e.g., acupuncture, hypnosis, massage). Variables similar to VITPRACYR that indicate whether the respondent had seen a practitioner or had taken a class for a modality of alternative medicine during the past 12 months (although seeing a practitioner was not essential for such treatment), include:

• Special diets (DITPRACYR)

• Homeopathic treatment (HOMPRACYR)

• Relaxation techniques (RELCLASS)

• Herbal supplements (HERPRACYR)

• Yoga, Tai chi, or Qi gong (YTQCLASS)

For more information on the full range of variables related to vitamins, including definitions, see VITYR.