A factor analysis and exploration of attitudes and beliefs toward complementary and conventional medicine in veterans.
BACKGROUND
Although Veterans utilize complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) at rates comparable with civilians, little is known about Veterans' attitudes and beliefs toward CAM. Measures to increase such knowledge may help to identify treatment preferences, particularly among those with signature conditions from the recent conflicts [ie, traumatic brain injury (TBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)].


OBJECTIVE
This exploratory study aimed to: (1) determine the factors of the Complementary, Alternative, and Conventional Medicine Attitudes Scale (CACMAS); and to utilize the resulting factors to describe (2) attitudes and beliefs toward CAM; (3) their association with TBI, PTSD, and history of self-directed violence. Patterns of CAM use were also obtained.


METHODS
Factor analysis. Observational study.


METHODS
Participants were 97 Veterans seeking care at a Mountain State Veterans Affairs Medical Center.


METHODS
Participants completed the CACMAS, clinical interviews, and self-report measures during a single visit.


RESULTS
CACMAS factors identified were: acceptability of (1) CAM and (2) conventional medicine; (3) mind-body integration; and (4) belief in CAM. Acceptability of CAM was significantly associated with history of mild TBI (mTBI) or PTSD symptom severity. Veterans endorsed a wide range of CAM use.


CONCLUSIONS
Veterans in this sample were open to CAM and conventional medicine, believed in CAM, and believed that treatments should incorporate the mind and body. Veterans with a history of mTBI or PTSD symptoms may be more accepting of CAM. Understanding Veterans' beliefs and attitudes regarding CAM may help providers deliver patient-centered treatments, particularly among those with conditions for which evidence-based interventions are limited (eg, mTBI).
*Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) †Department of Psychology, University of Colorado Denver ‡Departments of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Anschutz School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver §Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora ∥Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, CO.
Lisa M
LM
Betthauser
Lisa A
LA
Brenner
Jeri E
JE
Forster
Trisha A
TA
Hostetter
Alexandra L
AL
Schneider
Theresa D
TD
Hernández
D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057566:Self Report; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*