Use and referral patterns for 22 complementary and alternative medical therapies by members of the American College of Rheumatology: results of a national survey.
BACKGROUND
This study was designed to determine rheumatologists' self-reported knowledge, perceptions of legitimacy, referral patterns, and use in practice of 22 complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies.


METHODS
A survey was mailed to a random sample of 2000 physician members of the American College of Rheumatology asking respondents which (if any) CAM therapies they (1) knew enough about to discuss with patients, (2) considered part of "legitimate medical practice," and (3) "personally administered" to patients, or "referred patients to someone else" to administer. The response rate was 47%.


RESULTS
On average, the respondents reported knowing enough to discuss 10 of the therapies with patients, considered 9 to be part of legitimate medical practice, and had referred patients to someone else for 8 of the 22 therapies. Correlates of use and/or referral included sex, age, belief in the legitimacy of the therapies, and self-reported knowledge.


CONCLUSIONS
These results provide potentially important preliminary data regarding rheumatologists' responses to dramatic increases in the use of CAM therapies among their patients.
Berman
Brian M
BM
Complementary Medicine Program, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Kernan Hospital Mansion, 2200 Kernan Dr, Baltimore, MD 21207, USA.
Bausell
R Barker
RB
Lee
Wen-Lin
WL
D000328:Adult; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States