title: Australian community pharmacists' practice in complementary medicines: a structural equation modeling approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This survey tested a model of factors influencing pharmacists' practice in relation to complementary medicines (CMs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from 212 community pharmacists in New South Wales. Structural equation modeling with AMOS version 6.0, was used to model two practices in relation to CMs: an evaluation of appropriateness of CM use and the decision to sell.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pharmacists' perceptions of their responsibilities in ensuring the safe use of CMs predicted the comprehensiveness of an evaluation for appropriateness of CM use (P=0.002). When level of comprehensiveness of evaluation increased, pharmacists were less likely to sell CMs in situations where the use of the products was not considered appropriate (P=0.021). Pharmacists' confidence in their CM knowledge, attitudes towards CMs, concern about pharmacy income and pharmacists' characteristics did not significantly affect their practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pharmacists' acceptance of their counseling responsibility with respect to CMs was the strongest predictor of both comprehensiveness of an evaluation and the decision to sell a CM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pharmacists must be encouraged to recognise and accept their responsibility in ensuring the safe and effective use of CMs.
authors.affiliation: Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. otipkan@kku.ac.th
authors.forename: Tipaporn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kanjanarach
authors.forename: Ines
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Krass
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Cumming
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003153:Community Health Services; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009517:New South Wales; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires