Codes and Frequencies
Description
For sample adults who had seen a practitioner for massage during the past 12 months (MASYR) and had told a conventional medical professional about their use of massage (MASLCONVHP), MASLMD indicates whether they had reported their massage use to a medical doctor (including specialists).
Data Collection
In both 2002 and 2007, interviewers asked, "During the past 12 months, did you let any of these conventional medical professionals know about your use of massage?" and handed the respondent a card listing several types of conventional health care practitioners. If the answer was affirmative (i.e., a "Yes" response in MASLCONVP), interviewers asked the follow-up question, "Which ones [did you tell]?" and noted, "You may choose more than one."
In both 2002 and 2007, the list of conventional medical practitioners included, along with "medical doctor (M.D.) (including specialists)":
- Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant (MASLNURS)
- Psychiatrist (MASLPSYCHI)
- Dentist (including specialists) (MASLDENT)
In 2007, the list included additional categories of conventional medical professionals:
- Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) (MASLDO)
- Psychologist/Social Worker (MASLPSYCHO)
- Pharmacist (MASLPHARM)
For more information about the full range of variables related to massage, including definitions, see MASYR.
Comparability
The list of conventional medical practitioners on the card shown to respondents was shorter in 2002 than in 2007.
For example, the only type of physician listed in 2002 was "medical doctor (M.D.), (including specialists)"; in 2007, however, both "medical doctor (including specialists)" and "Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.)" were listed. Some respondents may have included osteopaths in the M.D. category in 2002, but this was probably less common in 2007, when osteopaths were accorded a separate category on the flashcard.
Researchers may wish to try combining the M.D. and D.O. categories to increase comparability for MASLMD between 2002 and 2007.
Only sample adults with a positive response in MASLCONVHP are included in the question universe for MASLMD. For discussion of comparability issues for MASLCONVHP, see the documentation for that variable.
Universe
- 2002; 2007: Sample adults age 18+ who have seen a practitioner for massage during the past 12 months and have let a conventional medical professional know about their use of massage.
Availability
- 2002, 2007
Weights
- 2002, 2007 : SAMPWEIGHT
