Naturopaths practice behaviour: provision and access to information on complementary and alternative medicines

Abstract

BackgroundThe increasing use of complementary and alternative medicines in Australia has generated concern regarding the information on these products available to both healthcare providers and the public. The aim of this study was to examine the practice behaviours of naturopaths in relation to both the provision of and access to information on complementary and alternative medicines (CAM).MethodsA representative sample of 300 practicing naturopaths located nationally were sent a comprehensive survey which gathered data on self reported practice behaviour in relation to the provision of information on oral CAM to clients and the information needs of the practitioners themselvesResultsA response rate of 35% was achieved. Most practitioners (98%) have a dispensary within their clinic and the majority of practitioners perform the dispensing themselves. Practitioners reported they provided information to clients, usually in the form of verbal information (96%), handwritten notes (83%) and printed information (75%). The majority of practitioners (over 75%) reported always giving information on the full name of the product, reason for prescribing, expected response, possible interactions and contraindications and actions of the product. Information resources most often used by practitioners included professional newsletters, seminars run by manufacturers, patient feedback and personal observation of patients. Most practitioners were positive about the information they could access but felt that more information was required in areas such as adverse reactions and safe use of CAM in children, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Most naturopaths (over 96%) were informed about adverse events through manufacturer or distributor newsletters. The barriers in the provision of information to clients were misleading or incorrect information in the media, time constraints, information overload and complex language used in printed information. The main barrier to the practitioner in information access was seen as the perceived division between orthodox and complementary medicine practitioners.ConclusionOur data suggest most naturopaths were concerned about possible interaction between pharmaceuticals and CAM, and explore this area with their patients. There is scope to improve practitioners' access to information of adverse events including an increased awareness of sources of information such as the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website.

Current challenges and future directions for naturopathic medicine in Australia: a qualitative examination of perceptions and experiences from grassroots practice

“…Participants often considered the status of ‘product pushers’ as derisively as the ‘shonks’ and ‘charlatans’, and rejected the notion that they were simply the dispensers of natural medicines. Despite the perceived value of practice over product, Australian data suggests that most naturopaths do consider dispensing an important part of their profession, with 98% of naturopaths dispensing CAM products in their clinic [18]. …”

The Interface Between Tradition and Science: Naturopaths' Perspectives of Modern Practice

“…This is an important consideration, because previous research 19 has used quantitative methods to identify the use of information sources by naturopaths in clinical practice, but has not provided sufficient clarity around terms such as ''textbooks'' and ''information from course notes'' to be certain whether the information being used is traditional or scientific. Because the understanding of the term ''traditional information'' varied among participants, this is an issue that will require careful consideration on the part of those communicating with naturopaths.…”

Community pharmacists in Australia: barriers to information provision on complementary and alternative medicines

“…Information regarding provision of and access to CAM information by naturopaths has been previously published [13]. Other aspects of the study will be reported elsewhere.…”