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Alternative medicine and general practitioners. Opinions and behaviour
1Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary.
Summary
General practitioners in Canada hold mixed views on alternative medicine, with some approaches deemed more useful than others. A significant portion believe conventional medicine could benefit from alternative methods, and some refer patients or practice alternative therapies.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- General Practice
- Healthcare Policy
Background:
- Alternative medicine is increasingly recognized, prompting investigation into general practitioners' (GPs) perspectives.
- Understanding GP attitudes and behaviors is crucial for integrating complementary therapies into mainstream healthcare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate general practitioners' (GPs) opinions and behaviors concerning alternative medicine.
- To identify factors influencing GPs' acceptance and utilization of alternative medicine.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a random sample of 200 general practitioners in Ontario and Alberta, Canada.
- Participants completed a questionnaire detailing their beliefs, referrals, and practices related to alternative medicine.
Main Results:
- Acupuncture, chiropractic, and hypnosis were rated as most useful, while reflexology, naturopathy, and homeopathy were least useful.
- 56% of GPs believed conventional medicine could benefit from alternative medicine's methods, 54% referred patients to alternative practitioners, and 16% practiced alternative medicine.
- Referral and practice of alternative medicine were associated with factors like province of practice, training, perceived usefulness, and attitude towards alternative medicine.
Conclusions:
- Alternative medicine, despite varied acceptance, warrants consideration in general practice.
- Further research across all Canadian provinces is recommended to inform medical education and policy development regarding physician behavior towards alternative medicine.