Complementary medicine in orthopaedic and trauma surgery: a cross-sectional survey on usage and needs

Abstract

ObjectivesComplementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is frequently used in Western countries within general medicine and internal medicine. Information on the use in orthopaedic and trauma surgery is widely lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate usage and needs regarding CAM for these patients.DesignProspective paper-based, pseudoanonymous, cross-sectional survey.SettingFrom August to December 2018, a questionnaire composed of 17 questions was distributed to all eligible patients.ParticipantsIn-house patients in orthopaedic and trauma surgery at a high-volume medical centre in Germany.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrevious or current usage of CAM, interest and requests towards CAM as well as communication about CAM.ResultsOverall, 457 orthopaedic and trauma surgical patients took part in the survey. They were on average 52 years old and 54% were male. Most of the patients were admitted due to bone fractures and most underwent operative therapy. Previous or current CAM usage was stated by 76% and 30% of patients, respectively. Most of the patients stated to be interested in usage of CAM and demanded for more clinical usage of CAM and reliable information about CAM. More than 90% of patients did not discuss CAM interest or usage with their treating physicians. Patients stated that physicians should have knowledge about CAM. They wish to be treated in a holistic manner and want to strengthen self-efficacy.ConclusionsUsage of CAM of patients in orthopaedic and trauma surgery appears to be high. Only a few patients discuss their interest and usage of CAM with their treating physician. Therefore, surgeons should ask their patients about CAM and should consider evidence-based CAM approaches for complementary treatment.Trial registration numberDRKS0001544.

Complementary medicine in Germany: a multi-centre cross-sectional survey on the usage by and the needs of patients hospitalized in university medical centers

“…Other recent studies reported that up to one-third of patients communicated about their CAM usage with their attending physician. Communication differs between inpatients and outpatients and depends on the attending physician's specialization [4,9,11,[26][27][28]. Kilper et al reported that only 15% of inpatient orthopaedic and trauma patients in Germany indicated their use of CAM [4].…”

“…Communication differs between inpatients and outpatients and depends on the attending physician's specialization [4,9,11,[26][27][28]. Kilper et al reported that only 15% of inpatient orthopaedic and trauma patients in Germany indicated their use of CAM [4]. In a Hungarian study, 13% of inpatient surgical patients told their attending physician about their CAM interest [9].…”

“…CAM is often used without the prior consultation of a physician [2,3]. Research suggests that there is limited communication about CAM between medical staff and patients [4,5]. Publications in recent decades reported that every second to third hospitalized patient used CAM, but less than a third of these patients communicated about their CAM usage with their attending physicians [4,[6][7][8][9][10].…”

“…Research suggests that there is limited communication about CAM between medical staff and patients [4,5]. Publications in recent decades reported that every second to third hospitalized patient used CAM, but less than a third of these patients communicated about their CAM usage with their attending physicians [4,[6][7][8][9][10]. The gap between the frequency of CAM usage and communication between patients and physicians emphasizes the need for improvements in medical education about CAM.…”

“…The aim of AZKIM is to provide a well-founded knowledge base regarding CAM and integrative medicine for use in basic and clinical research, patient care and training and the continuing education of physicians and medical students. Previous publications showed that many patients desire CAM counselling and physicians who are knowledgeable about CAM, even during a hospital stay, especially as these aspects pertain to a patient-centred and holistic treatment approach [ 4 , 9 , 11 ]. Little is known about CAM use by patients hospitalized in university hospitals.…”