Perception, attitude and usage of complementary and alternative medicine among doctors and patients in a tertiary care hospital in India

Abstract

Aim:Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been practiced in India for thousands of years. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of use, perception and attitude of doctors and patients utilizing the same healthcare facility.Methods:This study was conducted among 200 doctors working at a tertiary care teaching Hospital, India and 403 patients attending the same, to determine the extent of usage, attitude and perception toward CAM.Results:The use of CAM was more among doctors (58%) when compared with the patients (28%). Among doctors, those who had utilized CAM themselves, recommended CAM as a therapy to their patients (52%) and enquired about its use from patients (37%) to a greater extent. CAM was used concomitantly with allopathic medicine by 60% patients. Very few patients (7%) were asked by their doctors about CAM use, and only 19% patients voluntarily informed their doctors about the CAM they were using. Most patients who used CAM felt it to be more effective, safer, less costly and easily available in comparison to allopathic medicines.Conclusion:CAM is used commonly by both doctors and patients. There is a lack of communication between doctors and patients regarding CAM, which may be improved by sensitization of doctors and inclusion of CAM in the medical curriculum

Use of complementary and alternative medicines by patients with orthopaedic disorders in western part of India: a cross sectional study

“…Similar findings are reported from India. 17,18 In this study only 30% patients had stated that CAM is less expensive, majority of patients had reported that CAM is natural, safe and having less adverse effects than allopathic medicine. Easy accessibility and efficacy were the other reasons.…”

“…16,17,20 Callahan et al reported that approximately half of the participants had more than a higher school education. 7 Herman et al reported that use of CAM therapies was positively associated with education.…”

Complementary and alternative medicine use among type 2 diabetes patients in a tertiary care hospital

“…6,12,17,18 The participants of the current study revealed that most important reasons for using CAM was the expectation that CAM will reduce their symptoms, avoid complications besides being safe. Among CAM users only small proportions of the patients (2%) did experience difficulty in controlling their blood-sugar levels inspite of addition of CAM modality to their conventional Anti-diabetic medications.…”

Complementary and alternative medicines among residents in upland cavite, Philippines: their knowledge, patterns of use and attitudes

“…Literature-based evidences exist indicating that the practice of CAM is common in most developing countries including India (Singh et al, 2004;Jadhav et al, 2011;Roy et al, 2015), Malaysia (Lee et al, 2007;Sivadasan et al, 2014;Silvanathan & Low 2015), Africa (Matheka & Demaio 2013;McFarlane, 2015), and Mexico (Valenzuela-Antelo et al, 2011;Marshik et al, 2016). This is therefore suggests that CAM is an important aspect of public health care in these countries.…”