The knowledge and attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine among patients admitted dermatology outpatient clinic

Abstract

Background and Design:This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and general approach towards complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among patients admitted to our outpatient clinic. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out between May 2012-2013. A questionnaire comprising 25 questions was prepared and filled by using face to face interview technique in our outpatient clinic. Results: A total of 1.021 patients were included. Six hundred nineteen (60.6%) were male and 402 (39.4%) were female. 30.5% of the participants reported CAM and 21.8% reported dermatological purpose. Women in the 30-39 age group and patients, who were college graduate and having high income levels, were using CAM more frequently. The most common conditions for CAM use were pigmentation disorders, hair diseases and inflammatory dermatoses. The most commonly used methods were herbal products, prayer and megavitamins. 61.1% of patients using CAM reported positive effects while 5.5% had side effects. Patients were using CAM because it was often recommended. 71.3% of patients reported not knowing the side effects, 59.5% of patients stated that they would inform their doctors about CAM usage, 1/3 of the patients wanted reimbursement of CAM by the Social Security Institution and would recommend CAM they used to others, 85% of patients reported that they would prefer medical treatments firstly. 12.9% of patients using CAM had a family history of CAM use.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies Used by Patients of Pediatric Dermatology Outpatient Clinics in Turkey: A Multicenter Study

“…Most of the methods that patients in our study used were practices that may also be considered conventional medicine. The most frequently used method for dermatologic problems was herbal treatments, and most of the herbal treatments used are easily available at home . It has been reported that Chinese medicine practices including acupuncture, homeopathy, and Ayurvedic medicine are used for skin diseases in addition to herbal treatments .…”

“…Our previous study conducted in a public hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, revealed that 27.1% of adults with chronic skin diseases used CAM and that the most common therapy was herbal treatment . This rate varied between 12.7% and 33.5% in adult patients who applied to dermatology clinics in other studies in Turkey , but studies of CAM use in children and adolescents have been limited.…”