title: The use of alternative therapies by Auckland general practitioners.
abstract: A survey of Auckland general practitioners was undertaken to explore their use of, and attitudes to, alternative medicines. Three hundred and seventy randomly selected doctors, from a total of about 700 doctors practising in Auckland, were posted questionnaires. Of 249 respondents, 75 (30%) practised one or more forms of alternative medicine. Acupuncture was the therapy most commonly used. Musculoskeletal disorders and chronic pain syndromes were the most frequently treated conditions. A total of 171 (68.7%) respondents referred patients to one or more forms of alternative treatment, and only 56 (32.7%) of these felt it necessary that the person referred to be medically qualified. Younger doctors were more inclined to refer and the most commonly cited reason for referral was failure of conventional medicine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, University of Auckland School of Medicine.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gee
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Israel
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Neave
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dumble
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Poon
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D010821:Physicians, Family; D012017:Referral and Consultation