Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients attending a head and neck oncology clinic.
BACKGROUND
Within the United Kingdom, there are 50,000 practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine, with five million people consulting these practitioners yearly. The aim of this study was to explore the use of such therapies by patients attending a head and neck oncology clinic in Aberdeen.


METHODS
Questionnaires were distributed to 200 patients over an eight-week period. The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding: demographic factors; 48 listed herbal preparations and alternative therapies; reasons for their use; and opinions on their efficacy.


RESULTS
One hundred and thirty-eight patients completed the questionnaires. Fifty per cent (69/138) of respondents had used complementary and alternative medicine previously, with 26 per cent having used it in the preceding year. Fifty-five per cent of respondents learned about complementary and alternative medicine use from friends, and the majority obtained such medicines by purchasing from a shop. Fifty per cent (34/69) of respondents stated that their family physician was unaware of their use of complementary and alternative medicine.


CONCLUSIONS
All medical practitioners should be aware of increasing complementary and alternative medicine usage by the United Kingdom population, and should be able to counsel patients appropriately.
Shakeel
M
M
Department of Otolaryngology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Scotland, UK.
Newton
J R
JR
Bruce
J
J
Ah-See
K W
KW
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001294:Attitude to Health; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D041743:Herb-Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D028321:Plant Preparations