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Primary care physicians' attitudes and practices regarding complementary and alternative medicine.
Margot E Kurtz1, Robert B Nolan, William J Rittinger
1Department of Family and Community Medicine, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, B211 West Fee Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824-1046, USA. kurtzm@msu.edu
The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association
|January 27, 2004
Summary
Osteopathic primary care physicians show varied attitudes and practices toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Factors like specialty, gender, and age influence CAM discussions and usage among these physicians.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Primary Care Research
- Osteopathic Medicine
Background:
- Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasingly utilized by patients.
- Understanding physician attitudes and practices is crucial for integrating CAM into primary care.
- Osteopathic primary care physicians represent a significant segment of primary care providers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the attitudes and practices of osteopathic primary care physicians regarding CAM.
- To identify demographic and professional factors associated with CAM discussions and referrals.
- To explore the conditions for which osteopathic physicians would refer patients to CAM.
Main Methods:
- Survey data collected from 423 osteopathic primary care physicians.
- Members of the Michigan Osteopathic Association were surveyed.
- Attitudes and practices concerning CAM were assessed.
Main Results:
- Family physicians and general internists were more likely to discuss CAM than pediatricians.
- Female physicians were more likely to discuss or refer for CAM than male physicians.
- Younger physicians (≤35 years) were more likely to use CAM than older physicians (≥60 years).
Conclusions:
- Significant variations exist in how osteopathic primary care physicians perceive and utilize CAM.
- Physician demographics and specialty influence CAM engagement.
- Referrals for CAM often target long-term issues, treatment failures, and behavioral/psychiatric conditions.