title: Complementary medicine in general practice - a national survey of GP attitudes and knowledge.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Integrative medicine is a holistic approach to patient care that utilises both conventional and complementary therapy. This article compares the demographics of Australian general practitioners who do, and those who do not, practise integrative medicine, and their perceptions and knowledge about complementary medicines.
  
  
  METHODS
  A postal survey sent to a random sample of 4032 Australian GPs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data from 1178 GPs was analysed. While GPs who practise integrative medicine were more knowledgeable about complementary medicine and more aware of potential adverse reactions, there were significant knowledge gaps for both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many GPs incorporate complementary medicines into their practice, whether or not they identify with the 'integrative medicine' label. General practitioners need to be well informed about the evidence base for, and potential risks of, complementary medicines to ensure effective decision making. Use of available resources and inclusion of complementary medicine in education programs may assist this.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care Academic Centre, University of Melbourne, Victoria. m.pirotta@unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pirotta
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kotsirilos
authors.forename: Jared
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Tessa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Williamson
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000523:psychology*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male