title: Use of complementary and alternative medications among patients in an obstetrics and gynecology clinic.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the current use of complementary and alternative medication (CAM) products among women in obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was performed at a major academic center among patients seen at either a faculty-led private clinical practice site (n = 250) or a resident-led clinical practice site (n = 250). Patients were requested to bring a written list and the medication bottles (prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and CAM products) to the clinic, where a survey was then administered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 18.6% of participants were using CAM products. Significantly more patients reported using CAM products in the faculty private practice as compared to the resident clinic practice (28.4% vs. 8.8%, respectively, p value < 0.05). Only 29.0% of CAM products users had spoken to a healthcare provider regarding CAM products. Multivariate logistic regression model determined that older age (p < 0.0001) and Caucasian ethnicity (p = 0.0245) were associated with higher rates of CAM products use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study CAM products use was not as prevalent as anticipated for this patient population, however it continues to be underreported to providers. Healthcare professionals should continue to increase their knowledge about CAM products, take a proactive role to improve documentation, and develop an open communication with patients regarding appropriate use of CAM products.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgery, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. jasmith@mdanderson.org
authors.forename: Judith A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Martina L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Badell
authors.forename: Anuradha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kunther
authors.forename: J Lynn
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Dalrymple
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ramin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D057566:Self Report; D013781:Texas; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult