Complementary and alternative medicine use by psychiatric inpatients

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Integrative Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is prevalent across various patient populations.
• Understanding CAM utilization in psychiatric settings is crucial for integrated care.
• Limited data exists on CAM modalities and patient-provider communication in acute psychiatric care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and types of CAM modalities used by psychiatric inpatients.
• To explore the reasons for CAM use among this population.
• To assess the extent of communication regarding CAM use between patients and their mental health providers.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted with 82 psychiatric inpatients undergoing acute care.
• Patients were interviewed about their use of CAM modalities within the past 12 months.
• Diagnoses included Depressive Disorder, Substance Abuse, Schizophrenia, and Anxiety Disorders.

Main Results:

• 63% of patients reported using at least one CAM modality in the previous year.
• Herbal therapies (44%) were most common, followed by mind-body therapies (30%) and physical modalities (21%).
• Most patients did not discuss their CAM use with psychiatrists or psychotherapists.

Conclusions:

• CAM modalities are frequently used by psychiatric inpatients for diverse health concerns.
• A significant gap exists in communication about CAM use between patients and mental health professionals.
• Future research should explore integrating CAM discussions into psychiatric treatment plans.