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Objective  To compare traditional healers (TH) and Cameroonian representatives of Western medicine (Western providers (WP)) in terms of patient characteristics and communication patterns during the consultation in rural Cameroon.

Methods  A facility‐based comparative study was conducted. Seven TH were compared to eight WP in the same district. Patients (five per provider) provided detailed socio‐demographic data. Recorded consultations were analysed with the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS).

Results  Patients were similar in socio‐demographic characteristics except for age, where TH patients were on average 9 years younger (P < 0.05). Patients of TH travelled 2.5 times as far to their provider as did patients in the WP group (79 vs. 31 km; P < 0.05) and paid 12 times more for their treatment (123 vs. 10 Euros; P < 0.05). Consultations of TH were shorter (5.6 vs. 10.3 min, P < 0.01 …