Complementary medicine usage in surgery: a cross-sectional survey in Germany

Area of Science:

• Surgical Patient Care
• Complementary Medicine Integration
• Healthcare Communication

Background:

• Complementary medicine (CM) use is prevalent, yet its application and patient-provider communication within surgical settings remain under-explored.
• Surgical patients frequently utilize various forms of CM, indicating a significant, often unaddressed, aspect of their healthcare journey.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and patterns of complementary medicine (CM) usage among surgical patients.
• To assess patient interest in CM counseling and holistic treatment approaches within surgical care.
• To evaluate the extent of communication regarding CM between surgical patients and their physicians.

Main Methods:

• A multi-center, cross-sectional survey was conducted using a 21-question paper-based questionnaire.
• The study included visceral and thoracic surgical patients hospitalized at University Medical Centers in Germany.
• Data collected focused on CM usage, interest, and patient-physician communication.

Main Results:

• 44% of 151 surveyed surgical patients reported current CM use, primarily physical exercise, nutritional supplements, and herbal medicine.
• Over 51% expressed strong interest in CM counseling, with 80% desiring holistic care and reliable information.
• Only 12% of patients discussed their CM use or interest with their surgeon, indicating a significant communication gap.

Conclusions:

• Surgical patients exhibit high rates of complementary medicine (CM) usage and a strong desire for CM information and counseling.
• The current communication between patients and surgeons regarding CM is inadequate, posing potential risks to patient safety and quality of care.
• Physicians should proactively address patients' CM usage in surgical contexts to ensure comprehensive and safe patient management.