Health Professionals Should Know More About Complementary and Alternative Medicines
Health professionals could be more accepting of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and have some basic knowledge about commonly used CAM preparations, according to research published in the current issue of The Medical Journal of Australia.
Co-author of the research, Dr Kay Stewart from the Faculty of Pharmacy at Monash University in Melbourne says these changes could improve communication between patients and mainstream health professionals about CAM.
In an Australian first, the study set out to investigate CAM use by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (which accounts for four per cent of all deaths in Australia) and to explore their beliefs about CAM.
One hundred and seventy three patients with moderate to severe COPD participated in the study, and in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of 28 patients were also conducted.
Seventy one patients (41 per cent) claimed to be using some form of CAM.
Dr Stewart said most commonly used were multivitamins and minerals, and garlic was the most commonly used herbal preparation.
"Patients reported that advertisements and people with prior experience of using CAM were their major sources of information.
"This reflects the lack of a reliable and unbiased source of information on CAM for the public," Dr Stewart said.
"Extent of knowledge about CAM, degree of faith in CAM and personal attitudes influenced decisions to try CAM.
"Patients used CAM to promote general wellbeing, to counteract drug side effects, to compensate for dietary deficiencies and to ameliorate their disease.
"Patients were inclined to report that they were comfortable taking complementary medicines. They felt that even if it did not work, at least it would not harm them.
"CAM practitioners were regarded as more convincing, informative, considerate and available compared with mainstream health professionals," Dr Stewart said.
Dr Stewart said patients with COPD often have multiple health problems requiring a complex mix of medications. The ready availability of CAM from health food shops and supermarkets could jeopardise these patients' safety, because of interactions of CAM products with their prescribed medications.
The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.
CONTACT Dr Kay STEWART 0419 501 162 / 039903 9618
Judith TOKLEY, AMA Public Affairs, 0408 824 306 / 02 6270 5471