Physician and Patient Attitudes Towards Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Author Information
Author(s): Mandi L Furlow, Divya A Patel, Ananda Sen, Rebecca J Liu
Primary Institution: University of Michigan
Hypothesis
What are the attitudes and approaches to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among obstetric and gynecology patients and physicians?
Conclusion
Both obstetrics/gynecology physicians and patients have a positive attitude towards CAM, but their views on the most effective therapies differ.
Supporting Evidence
- 54.5% of patients reported ever using at least one type of CAM modality for obstetric and/or gynecologic problems.
- 73.8% of physicians agreed that clinical care should integrate the best conventional and CAM practices.
- Most physicians endorsed, provided, or referred patients for at least one CAM modality.
Takeaway
Doctors and patients both like alternative medicine, but they don't always agree on which treatments work best.
Methodology
Surveys were conducted among obstetrician-gynecologists and patients at the University of Michigan to assess attitudes and practices regarding CAM.
Potential Biases
Self-reported data may be subject to recall bias.
Limitations
Response rates were 41% for physicians and 32% for patients, which may reflect self-selection and lead to response bias; demographic data for patients was not collected.
Participant Demographics
57% of physicians were male, 41% female; most physicians were Caucasian (81.4%).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
[0.27, 0.39]
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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