Nitin S Kunnoor, Rajni Rathore and Denis Xavier
Background: Allopathic physicians are relatively unfamiliar with Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) but they’re in common use. A cross sectional survey was conducted to understand physician’s perception of it.
Method: All 385 physicians from St. John’s Medical College & Hospital, Bangalore were approached. Data were collected using anonymised questionnaires on its use, perceptions, recommendation and inclusion in medical curricula. Responses were analysed according to their experience (<5, 5-10 & >10 years) and qualifications (specialists with: MD, MS, MCh, DM, Diploma or GPs with MBBS and Fellowship).
Results: Responses were received from 247 (64%) of physicians. 173/38/36 (70/15/15%) had <5/5-10>10 years’ experience, half were specialists, half GPs. Their mean age was 33 years, 114 (46%) were males. 168/169/152/133/91/84 (68/68/53/54/37/34/27%) reported their patients used CAM for chronic diseases/consult their patients about CAM/said their patients informed them about it/considered it may be useful but harmful/that it increases side effects of allopathic medication/ that it worsens the condition. 67 (27%) physicians recommended it. Yoga/meditation, 57/47 (23/19%) were commonest. Most, 97/143/154/98 (39/58/62/40%) disagree with using it when allopathyis ineffective/disagree with including it in medical curricula/disagree on training doctors about it/do not recommend it.
Conclusion: CAM is used ubiquitously, especially for chronic diseases. Allopathic doctors need knowledge about them and their appropriate use for better outcomes.
Teile diesen Artikel
English 
Spanish 
Chinese 
Russian 
French 
Japanese 
Portuguese 
Hindi 