scholarly journals Medicinal Systems of Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Cross-Sectional Survey at a Pediatric Emergency Department

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tycho Jan Zuzak ◽  
Isabelle Zuzak-Siegrist ◽  
Lukas Rist ◽  
Georg Staubli ◽  
Ana Paula Simões-Wüst
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Pediatric Emergency ◽  
Pediatric Emergency Department ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

scholarly journals Safety and Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Norway During the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic Using an Adapted Version of the I-CAM-Q: A Cross-Sectional Survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnete Egilsdatter Kristoffersen ◽  
Miek C. Jong ◽  
Johanna Hök Nordberg ◽  
Esther T. van der Werf ◽  
Trine Stub
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Fisher Exact Test ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Abstract BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic lockdown has had a profound impact on physical and mental well-being throughout the world. Previous studies have revealed that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is frequently used for, and can be potential beneficial for strengthening physical mental resilience. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the prevalence, associations and reasons for use of CAM during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic among a representative sample of the Norwegian population, and determine possible effects and adverse effects of the treatments. MethodsComputer assisted telephone interviews using a COVID-adapted I-CAM-Q questionnaire were conducted with 1008 randomly selected Norwegians aged 16 and above using multistage sampling during April and May 2020 applying age and sex quotas for each area. Descriptive statistics were carried out using Pearson’s Chi-square test, Fisher exact test, and Independent samples T-tests to identify group differences. ResultsThe study revealed that two thirds of the respondents (67%) had used CAM within the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular CAM modalities that did not involve a provider. Most used were natural remedies and dietary supplement (57%, mainly vitamins and minerals), but self-help practices like yoga and meditation were also widely used (24%). Women used CAM modalities significantly more than men (77% vs. 58%). Most of the respondents found the modalities they used beneficial, and 5% reported adverse effects of the treatments.ConclusionsThe first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has not profoundly changed the overall need of Norwegian citizens to seek care outside the conventional healthcare system, but rather caused a shift in the type of CAM modalities used. The risk profile of these modalities was generally low as only 5 % of the respondents reported adverse effects. Further studies are needed to confirm the change from provider based to self-administered CAM use.

scholarly journals Factors influencing the lack of communication on complementary and alternative medicine by clinicians in higher healthcare: A cross-sectional survey in China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Xie ◽  
Hongli Zhou ◽  
Li Li ◽  
Wenting Li ◽  
Haibo Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Abstract PurposeComplementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is well documented and widely applied in healthcare, however, there is a paucity of knowledge on the attitudes of high healthcare clinicians regarding CAM, as well aspects related to the communications by clinicians on the use of CAM. Such communication can be important in assuring agreement about therapeutic plans and the use of CAM as complimentary higher healthcare. The study investigated the communication about CAM between patients and clinicians, as well as factors that influence the communication of clinicians about CAM.MethodsThe study made use of the CAM Health Belief Questionnaire (CHBQ), a 10-item Likert-scale questionnaire that assesses the attitudes and beliefs of healthcare professionals towards CAM. The cross-sectional survey was distributed to 360 doctors in traditional Chinese Mmedicine (TCM) and western medicine (WM) from the departments of Internal Medicine (physicians) and Surgery (surgeons). The survey was distributed in 5 different hospitals in China over the period from May to August 2019.ResultsWe found that there is generally a positive attitude toward CAM by clinicians, with a large difference between physicians and surgeons. We found that there was a lack of communication about CAM between clinicians and patients, largely associated with the uncertainty about the scientific evidence for the efficacy of CAM, and the possible interactions with conventional medicine and other safety-related components. This made clinicians fearful and worried, and reluctant to share about CAM. Among those who could share or discuss CAM with patients, many were trained in TCM and had previously used CAM, and so they were more likely to communicate CAM to patients. Western medicine doctors were more resultant and did not have a positive attitude towards CAM, and would not recommend it to patients. Moreover, the physicians who typically would communicate about CAM with patients indicated that they were not encouraged to use it due, largely, to lack of access to CAM training, which is evident in the fact that on 10.6% of the clinicians had certificates in TCM. Therefore, there is a need to train clinicians in CAM and to equip them with skills that will enable them to engage patients and offer complementary modalities of treatment, given the historical use of CAM in China.ConclusionsOur results show that there is a generally positive attitude towards CAM in higher health in China. Clinicians have a positive attitude towards CAM but do not generally communicate with patients. The willingness that clinicians, especially the western clinicians, want to communicate with patients was weak. To reduce the reluctance and uncertainty, clinicians should be trained in evidence for those CAM methods in which patients are interested. This will also improve doctor-patient communication and allow for better integration of patient needs in their healthcare plans.

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