[Norwegian physicians and alternative medicine. Knowledge, attitudes and experiences]

1272 members of the Norwegian Medical Association took part in a survey on knowledge about, attitudes towards and experience of acupuncture, reflexology, healing, homoeopathy and herbalism. The response rate was 91%. Knowledge about these five complementary methods of treatment was poor, particularly in regard to reflexology, healing and herbalism. Four out of five physicians, on the other hand, felt that they needed such knowledge to put them in a position to inform their patients. Furthermore, the physicians' attitudes were also fairly negative, except towards acupuncture. Only 4-11% regarded homoeopathy, reflexology or healing as valuable supplements to scientific medicine. 9% of the physicians had undergone acupuncture, and 4% practised this method. 65% referred their patients to acupuncture. Experience of the other four methods was less common. Poor knowledge and limited experience put Norwegian physicians in a weak position in the debate about complementary methods of treatment.