Background: The CCRAS carries out its research programs through its 30 peripheral institutes with the headquarters in New Delhi. Presently, 24 clinical units are providing outpatient services in addition to clinical research.
Aim: To understand the health care seeking trends among the patients attending Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) clinical research establishments from 1991 to 2012.
Results: The annual reports of CCRAS from 1991 to 2012 were analyzed. A total of 107 diseases were reported in the source document, which were grouped broadly into 26 clinical categories. It was observed that out of 107 diagnosed diseases/ conditions, maximum were related to digestive system followed by nervous system, integumentary system, and urogenital system. Out of total 2,386,471 new patients, maximum number of patients were suffering from osteoarthritis, followed by neurological diseases, skin diseases, cough, pyrexia, hyperacidity, rhinitis, lower backache, abdominal colic, and dyspnea.
Conclusion: Period-wise analysis of attendance of the patients to the CCRAS clinical units during the reporting period showed that there was improvement in the health care seeking behavior toward Ayurveda, which is indicated by an increase in the number of outpatient department (OPD) patients in the subsequent 5/6 years.
Clinical significance: Over the years, the number of health care seekers for Ayurveda has been rapidly increasing nationally and internationally. Scientific base of Ayurveda is also getting upgraded through research. Need of the hour is to further strengthen our health care delivery system to cater to the needy population, where Ayurveda can largely contribute.