Herb use among health care professionals enrolled in an online curriculum on herbs and dietary supplements.
BACKGROUND
Although many adults in the United States use herbs, little is known about the personal use of herbs by health care professionals (HCPs) and factors associated with use.


METHODS
We performed a cross-sectional study of HCPs prior to their enrollment in an online course about herbs and dietary supplements between September 2004 and May 2005. We used multivariable logistic regression to analyze demographic and practice factors associated with herb use.


RESULTS
Of the 1249 health care professionals surveyed, 51% reported using an herb in the last week. The rates of use were highest among physician assistants or nurse practitioners (PA or NP) (63%), clinical nurses (59%), and HCP students (52%), while physicians (48%), dietitians (40%), and pharmacists (37%) had lower rates. Among health care professionals who reported herb use, the most common herbs taken were green tea (24%), flax seed (18%), chamomile (11%), and aloe vera (8%). Factors associated with herb use included older age, being a nurse, a HCP student, an NP or PA compared with being a physician, being non-Caucasian, living outside of North Carolina and having increased knowledge of herbs and dietary supplements.
Gardiner
Paula
P
Division for Research and Education in Complementary and Integrative Medical Therapies, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA. paula_gardiner@hms.harvard.edu
Legedza
Anna
A
Woods
Charles
C
Phillips
Russell S
RS
Kemper
Kathi J
KJ
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003479:Curriculum; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010946:Plants, Medicinal
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D028321:Plant Preparations