Swiss paediatrician survey on complementary medicine

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In Switzerland, complementary medicine (CM) is officially recognised within the healthcare system and mainly practised in an integrative manner, in conjunction with conventional medicine. As in other countries, there is high demand for and use of CM with children. However, there has so far been no research into the attitude towards, training in and offer of CM among paediatricians in Switzerland. Our study addresses this gap by investigating these topics with an online survey of paediatricians in Switzerland.METHODS: We conducted a national online survey using a 19-item, self-reporting questionnaire among all ordinary and junior members of the Swiss Society of Paediatrics (SSP). A comparison of the study sample with the population of all paediatricians registered with the Swiss Medical Association (FMH) allowed an assessment of the survey's representativeness. The data analysis was performed on the overall group level as well as for predefined subgroups (e.g. sex, age, language, workplace and professional experience).RESULTS: 1890 paediatricians were approached and 640, from all parts of Switzerland, responded to the survey (response rate 34%). Two thirds of respondents were female, were aged between 35 and 55 years, trained as paediatric generalist and worked in a practice. Apart from young paediatricians in training, the study sample was representative of all Swiss paediatricians. 23% had attended training in CM, most frequently in phytotherapy, homeopathy, acupuncture/traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and anthroposophic medicine. 65% were interested in CM courses and training. 16% provide CM services to their patients and almost all paediatricians (97%) are asked by patients/parents about CM therapies. More than half of the responding paediatricians use CM for themselves or their families. 42% were willing to contribute to paediatric CM research. CONCLUSIONS: In a representative sample of paediatricians in Switzerland, their personal attitude towards CM is positive, emphasised by great interest in CM training, a willingness to contribute to CM research and a high rate of paediatricians who use CM for themselves and their families. In contrast, the percentage of paediatricians offering CM is currently rather low despite strong demand for CM for children. This study provides key pointers for the future development of complementary and integrative medicine for children in Switzerland.

A Influência Da Música Sobre O Desenvolvimento Neurocognitivo De Crianças E Adolescentes

“…A escolha por uso de plantas medicinais inclui alto custo dos medicamentos sintéticos, inacessibilidade das instituições e serviços de saúde e aceitabilidade cultural do sistema tradicional (TSOBOU; MAPONGMETSEM; DAMME, 2016). Das práticas complementares, a fitoterapia é a mais utilizada e difundida, pelas suas extensas peculiaridades, visto que ela envolve desde a cadeia produtiva de plantas medicinais a terapêuticas (GALVEZ et al, 2017;HUBER et al, 2019;HABIMORAD et al, 2020). O seu uso na assistência à saúde torna-se mais efetiva quando em consonância com o saber empírico, pois se torna uma prática de cuidado que valoriza o saber popular (CRUZ, 2016;GALVEZ et al, 2017).…”

Collaborating with Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Providers When Writing HPV Vaccine Review Articles

“…However, the number of licensed medical doctors who practice CAM or offer CAM services without full accreditation is likely higher. A representative study of pediatricians in Switzerland reported that 23% of pediatricians had attended CM training, but only 8% had a federal certificate in one or more of these methods [26]. The same study found that 97% of pediatrician respondents reported patients and parents inquiring about CAM, 65% were interested in pursuing CAM training, 16% provided CAM to their patients, and more than 50% used CAM for themselves or their families.…”

“…Be aware of one of the major determinants of vaccine hesitancy: the prevalent perception that the health authorities are collaborating with and/or influenced by vaccine manufacturers On a larger scale, our ongoing National Research Program on vaccine hesitancy [13,14] has recruited a network of more than 150 medical professionals throughout Switzerland, including more than 40 CAM practitioners. Given the popularity and interest towards CAM of the Swiss population [21,22] and from pediatricians [26], the incorporation of CAM perspectives and engagement with practitioners of both CAM and biomedicine into vaccination communication strategies is, in our view, a feasible, innovative, and reasonable approach to addressing VH in the Swiss context.…”

Interest and need for continuing medical education in pediatric complementary and integrative medicine: a cross-sectional survey from Switzerland

“…In Switzerland, which is known for its high standards in child health care [ 4 ], PIM is an integral part of the health care system [ 3 ]. This is shown, on the one hand, by the significant prevalence of complementary medicine use within the Swiss population in general [ 5 – 7 ] and among children and adolescents in particular, concerning the whole spectrum from primary care to highly specialized medicine [ 8 – 13 ]. According to data from the federal office of statistics, the utilization of complementary medicine is constantly increasing during the last two decades [ 14 ].…”