Primary care physicians and complementary-alternative medicine: training, attitudes, and practice patterns

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Primary Care Physician Training
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Attitudes

Background:

• Physician interest in complementary medicine is well-documented globally.
• Limited data exists on US primary care physicians' training, attitudes, and usage of CAM.
• A national survey was conducted to address these knowledge gaps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To survey US primary care physicians regarding their training in, attitudes toward, and use of complementary medicine.
• To identify factors influencing the integration of CAM into primary care practice.

Main Methods:

• A national mail survey was distributed to primary care physicians (family/general practice, internal medicine, pediatrics).
• Data collected included physician demographics, training, attitudes, and usage of various complementary therapies.
• Multivariate analysis was employed, incorporating sample weights based on specialty.

Main Results:

• Physicians reported most training, acceptance, and usage for biofeedback, relaxation, counseling, psychotherapy, behavioral medicine, diet, and exercise.
• Traditional Oriental medicine, Native American medicine, and electromagnetic applications were least accepted and utilized.
• Physicians in practice over 22 years showed less positive attitudes and usage of CAM.

Conclusions:

• Psychobehavioral and lifestyle therapies are increasingly integrated into mainstream medicine, with physicians trained in and using them.
• Chiropractic and acupuncture show growing acceptance despite low physician training levels.
• Physician attitudes and training are significant predictors of complementary therapy use, with osteopathic physicians demonstrating greater openness to certain CAM modalities.