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Naturopaths practice behaviour: provision and access to information on complementary and alternative medicines
Caroline Smith1, Karen Martin, Elizabeth Hotham
1School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. caroline.smith@unisa.edu.au
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine
|July 12, 2005
Summary
Naturopaths in Australia provide clients with information on complementary and alternative medicines (CAM), but seek more data on adverse events. Improving access to reliable CAM information is crucial for healthcare providers and the public.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Pharmacovigilance
- Health Communication
Background:
- Growing use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) in Australia raises concerns about information accessibility for healthcare providers and the public.
- Naturopaths play a key role in dispensing and informing patients about CAM products.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the practice behaviors of naturopaths regarding the provision of and access to information on CAM.
- To identify information needs and barriers faced by naturopaths in their practice.
Main Methods:
- A national survey was distributed to 300 practicing naturopaths in Australia.
- Data collected focused on self-reported practices in providing oral CAM information and practitioner information needs.
Main Results:
- Most naturopaths dispense CAM and provide information verbally, via notes, or printed materials.
- Practitioners consistently provide details on product name, use, and potential effects, but desire more data on adverse reactions and use in specific populations.
- Key barriers include media misinformation, time constraints, and perceived divisions between conventional and complementary medicine.
Conclusions:
- Naturopaths actively discuss potential pharmaceutical-CAM interactions with patients.
- Enhanced access to adverse event information, including utilizing resources like the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website, is recommended.