1466 – Complementary and alternative medicines (cams) in psychiatry: the opinion of mental health professionals

Abstract

BackgroundIn a demographic survey in 2005, 13.6% of Italians admitted to have taken CAMs during the 3 years before. A study on hospitalized patients for psychiatric reasons highlighted that 63% of them used CAM in the previous year and 79% did not mention this to their psychiatrists.ObjectiveTo collect the opinions about the use of CAMs in psychiatry among a group of psychiatrists and nurses working in a Mental Health Centre.AimTo investigate knowledge, opinions and experiences on CAMs.MethodsA mixed qualitative-quantitative method was used: 2 focus groups were conducted in June 2011, involving 12 professionals of one Mental Health Community Centre in Modena, Italy. The audio-recordings of the focus groups were analyzed by 2 researchers, who identified the main themes with an inductive method. The participants were finally asked to fill in a respondent validation questionnaire.ResultsFour main themes were developed:advantages, anddisadvantages in the use of CAMs,patients’ and own experiences,variety of therapies under the CAM acronym.Among the pros, 75% of respondents agreed that CAMs allow a better global approach to the patient, 58% that CAMs may improve quality of life, 66% that conventional psychiatric therapies do not solve every situation. As to disadvantages, some professionals (medical doctors) expressed skepticism on CAMs.ConclusionsBeing realistic, open-minded and ready to listen and cooperate: this could be the best attitude towards patients who take CAMs.