Complementary and alternative medicine use among paediatric emergency department patients

Abstract

CAM use is common among paediatric ED patients although rarely reported to the ED doctor. Parents/carers who administer CAM have differing perceptions of CAM safety from those who do not.

Observational study of alternative therapies among paediatric emergency department patients

“…4 In our study, the clear differences in perceptions of AT between parents of AT users and non-users were expected and consistent with one CAM study. 5 Hurvitz et al 11 also reported greater AT/CAM use and positive perceptions when the parents used these therapies themselves.…”

“…Adams et al 6 reported that, for every 5 year increase in age, the odds of CAM use increased by 1.4. Lim et al 3 and Taylor et al 5 found CAM use to be higher among those above 2 years of age. The finding that ethnicity and gender are not associated with AT use is consistent with those of CAM studies.…”

“…associated CAM use with poor health. Taylor et al . reported that CAM use was significantly greater among patients who had a chronic disease.…”

“…While Hughes and Wingard 20 associated CAM use with children in good health, Adams et al 6 associated CAM use with poor health. Taylor et al 5 reported that CAM use was significantly greater among patients who had a chronic disease.…”

“…The questionnaire was the sole source of data. It was based on a questionnaire that was validated and employed in a paediatric complementary medicine study . Minor revisions ensured its suitability for this AT study.…”