Physicians' attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine and their knowledge of specific therapies: 8-year follow-up at an academic medical center.
The purpose of this study was to determine changes in attitude toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies and knowledge of specific CAM therapies among internists at our institution. We compared the results of a survey given in 2004 and 2012. During this time period, the attitudes of physicians in our department of medicine toward CAM became much more positive, and physicians showed an increased willingness to use CAM to address patient care needs. However, knowledge of and experience with many specific CAM treatments did not change. These results will be used to develop further educational interventions and research studies.
Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address: wahnerroedler.dietlind@mayo.edu.
Dietlind L
DL
Wahner-Roedler
Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Mark C
MC
Lee
Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Tony Y
TY
Chon
Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
Stephen S
SS
Cha
Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Laura L
LL
Loehrer
Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Brent A
BA
Bauer
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000523:psychology*; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'
CAM; Integrative medicine; Physician attitudes; Physician education; complementary and alternative medicine