Academic education in health profession programs, knowledge and use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) by university students

Medeiros, Natasha Teixeira; Catrib, Ana Maria Fontenelle; Melo, Naiana Anchieta Mendes; Holanda, Gabriela Pessoa Marinho; Martins, Luiza Valeska de Mesquita; Godinho, Carla Christina Pereira da Silva; Trajano, Soraya da Silva; Bezerra, Ilana Nogueira; Abdon, Ana Paula Vasconcellos

doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.03.006

Cited by 10 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Adding to psychologist’s dilemma regarding CM within clinical practice are other findings from the current study, that substantial numbers of psychologists perceive their knowledge of some CM types as fair/poor. This is consistent with Australian and international research that identifies limited guidelines and education for psychologists wishing to engage with CM in clinical practice in a number of jurisdictions [ 24 , 27 , 34 , 36 , 38 , 51 ]. Again, further research is required to tease out and more deeply explore these and competing understandings and explanations around psychologists’ CM engagement.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Practice recommendations and referrals, perceptions of efficacy and risk, and self-rated knowledge regarding complementary medicine: a survey of Australian psychologists

Thomson-Casey,

McIntyre,

Rogers

et al. 2024

BMC Complement Med Ther

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Background Many people with mental health problems use a range of complementary medicine (CM), including over the counter products, practices, and utilise the services of CM practitioners. Psychologists are likely to consult with clients using CM, in some form, as part of their broader mental health care. The aim of this research was to determine the number of types of CM products, practices, and practitioners are recommended and/or referred by Australian psychologists as part of their clinical practice, as well as explore the relationship between psychologists’ perspectives on the risk and relevance of engaging with CM in psychology. Methods Survey data was collected from psychologists in clinical practice who self-selected to participate in the study via an online 79-item questionnaire exploring core aspects of CM engagement in psychology clinical practice. Results Amongst the 201 psychologists, 5% reported not recommending any type of CM, with 63% recommending four or more types of CM. Further, 25% had not referred to a CM practitioner, while 33% had referred to four or more types of CM practitioner. Psychologists are recommending and referring to CM even when they perceive their knowledge of CM to be poor, and that engaging with CM was a risk. Conclusion This study provides insights into psychologist perceptions of CM within psychology practice and how these perceptions are associated with rates of recommending and referring to CM as part of their clinical practice. These findings may inform the development of CM relevant education and guidelines for psychologists.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Practice recommendations and referrals, perceptions of efficacy and risk, and self-rated knowledge regarding complementary medicine: a survey of Australian psychologists

Thomson-Casey,

McIntyre,

Rogers

et al. 2024

BMC Complement Med Ther

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show abstract

“…The WHO in TM Strategy 2014-23 recommends evidence-based healthcare education on traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) for healthcare providers (1). Related education curricula and T&CM educational courses in medical schools have been improved in the last decade all over the world, but there are variations in teaching methods (2,(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42). Instructors and healthcare providers can help them recognize and differentiate science from pseudoscience to make the best of TPM.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Affecting Tendency and Adherence to Traditional Persian Medicine: A Qualitative Study

Sabbagh-Bani-Azad

Rahimi

Kebriaeezadeh

et al. 2021

Jundishapur J Nat Pharm Prod

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Background: Adherence to medications is crucial for them to be effective. Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) is an ancient medical discipline originated from old Persia and is currently used along with modern medicine in Iran. Evaluating the factors affecting adherence to TPM can have far-reaching implications for policymakers to make informed decisions. Objectives: This qualitative study investigates the factors affecting tendency and adherence to TPM among Iranians. Methods: We collected data from stakeholders in TPM using a focus group involving 13 participants and by conducting four in-depth interviews. The saturation point was reached at the 4th interview. We recorded all the interviews and then transcribed them verbatim for thematic content analysis. Results: We obtained 297 codes and 29 sub-themes for the factors affecting adherence to TPM, including the factors affecting compliance and tendency. Then we extracted the main themes. People’s beliefs, the inherent characteristics of traditional medicine and its status quo, attempts to bring about positive changes to TPM, and the problems facing the modern health system were the main factors affecting adherence to TPM. Conclusions: Despite many strenuous efforts in Iran to study TPM along with the lines of evidence-based medicine, policymaking, financing, patients’ and healthcare providers’ education, popular beliefs, and administrative transparency are needed to be addressed more adequately to promote adherence to TPM and help build integrative medicine in Iran’s healthcare system.

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“…Reasons psychologists choose to engage with CM in their clinical practice include positive experiences with personal use of CM, receiving education in CM, and wanting to offer a holistic service to clients that includes CM [ 49 , 54 , 56 ]. However, some psychologists express concern about a broader lack of education and guidelines for the integration of CM within psychology [ 27 , 52 , 54 , 57 , 58 ]. Overall, the acceptance of CM within the discipline of psychology remains contested [ 58 – 61 ]—a situation not dissimilar to that for medicine and other health disciplines [ 62 , 63 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relationship between psychology practice and complementary medicine in Australia: Psychologists’ demographics and practice characteristics regarding type of engagement across a range of complementary medicine modalities

et al. 2023

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Introduction Many people with mental health problems utilise a range of complementary medicine (CM) practitioners, products, and practices. Psychologists are likely to consult with clients who are seeking and using CM, in some form, as part of their wider mental health treatment. The aim of this research is to determine how much, and in what ways, Australian psychologists recommend CM products and/or practices, and/or initiate referrals to CM practitioners as part of their clinical practice and to explore if these behaviours have any association with the characteristics of the psychologist or their wider practice. Methods Survey data was collected from psychologists in clinical practice who self-selected to participate between February and April 2021. Participation in the study was via an online 79-item questionnaire exploring core aspects of CM engagement in psychology clinical practice. Results Amongst the 202 psychologists who completed the survey, mind/body approaches (90.5%) were the most recommended CM and cultural/spiritual approaches the least recommended CM (7.5%). Participants also reported referring to CM practitioners with naturopaths the most common focus of their referrals (57.9%) and cultural and spiritual practitioners the least common focus of their referrals (6.69%). Our analysis shows the demographic and practice characteristics of a psychologist are generally not predictors of a psychologist’s engagement with CM in their clinical practice. Conclusions Substantial numbers of psychologists recommend CM products and practices and/or refer clients to CM practitioners. Alongside subjecting CM interventions for mental health to an evidence-base assessment, the broader discipline of psychology needs to also consider psychologist engagement with CM in clinical practice in order to help ensure cultural-sensitivity, client safety and client choice.

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Academic education in health profession programs, knowledge and use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) by university students

Cited by 10 publications

References 20 publications

Practice recommendations and referrals, perceptions of efficacy and risk, and self-rated knowledge regarding complementary medicine: a survey of Australian psychologists

Practice recommendations and referrals, perceptions of efficacy and risk, and self-rated knowledge regarding complementary medicine: a survey of Australian psychologists

Factors Affecting Tendency and Adherence to Traditional Persian Medicine: A Qualitative Study

The relationship between psychology practice and complementary medicine in Australia: Psychologists’ demographics and practice characteristics regarding type of engagement across a range of complementary medicine modalities

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