Perception of integrating complementary and alternative medicine practice in patient's treatment among the healthcare practitioners: a systematic review

Abstract

There is a growing trend in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) usage among the population with medical conditions. However, there is hesitancy for medical practitioners to integrate its application with the current treatment modality, despite governance by the authority. Hence, our objective is to systematically evaluate the healthcare perception towards integrating CAM in their practices. We systematically searched three large and renowned databases i.e., Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed, regarding “Perception on Integrating CAM Usage in Patient's Treatment among Healthcare Practitioners” from 2016 until 2020. At least two independent reviewers comprehensively screened and extracted the data from the accepted articles. A total of 15 studies were included in the final qualitative synthesis following a strict and rigorous assessment checked using MMAT 2018 checklist. The studies included providing the richness of information due to the qualitative nature of the study design. There were three main domains extracted i.e. knowledge, attitude, and perspective of the healthcare practitioner towards CAM integration. Limited knowledge of CAM among healthcare providers may be the possible main reason for non-supportive attitude and negative perspective on CAM. However, those who showed an inclination towards CAM were found to be more open and ready to learn about CAM if it provides benefits to the patients. There is a heterogeneity of perception towards CAM integration from healthcare providers' point of view. A proactive and systematic CAM literacy awareness program may help to improve their understanding and possibly gain more trust in its application.

A review of the WHO strategy on traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine from the perspective of academic consortia for integrative medicine and health

“…Health care providers such as physicians and nurses seem to lack adequate training and knowledge to inform their patients about T&CM use (152)(153)(154)(155)(156). It is however important to note that their level of knowledge on T&CM is mostly surveyed through self-assessment.…”

Alternatives to Opioids: A Missing Piece of the Strategy

“…Furthermore, they are unsure about how to integrate these services alongside conventional treatments. These uncertainties hinder multidisciplinary and multimodal pain care (Aizuddin et al, 2022). Because insurance coverage and cost-sharing vary widely for NPTs, care coordination and the integration of NPTs into existing care systems is particularly challenging (Penney et al, 2017).…”

Interseção entre as práticas integrativas e complementares no campo da saúde e ecologia dos saberes

“…As Práticas Integrativas e Complementares em Saúde (PICS), surgem em um contexto favorável de ampliação do interesse e olhar pela compreensão dos adoecimentos, visto que os profissionais de saúde buscam novas formas de prevenção e tratamento que enriqueçam seu potencial de cuidado e sua formação, em oposição a lógica biomédica, desumanizada nas relações com pacientes e abusiva na utilização de tecnologias duras com efeitos iatrogênicos (Aizuddin et al, 2022).…”

“…A desvalorização desses saberem contribui para a desvalorização cultural das comunidades tradicionais que as utilizam. O cuidado com a saúde individual, se trata de uma tradição comum das culturas, é necessário refletir sobre o saber tradicional e o científico, onde este é apenas uma forma de explicar o mundo coexistindo com outras formas de conhecimento e saberes (Aizuddin et al, 2022).…”

“…As evidências mostraram que a medicina convencional tem reduzido constantemente a morbidade e a mortalidade, além de aumentar a qualidade de vida nas últimas décadas no tratamento da maior parte da doença (Aizuddin et al, 2022).…”