Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #99574

Howell C. Sasser, PhD¹, Russell Greenfield, MD², and Michelle Hogue, MS¹. (1) CHS/Dickson Institute for Health Studies, Carolinas Medical Center, P.O Box 32861, Charlotte, NC 28232-2861, 704-355-0561, howell.sasser@carolinashealthcare.org, (2) Carolinas Integrative Health, Carolinas Medical Center, P.O. Box 32861, Charlotte, NC 28232-2861

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of the use of, and attitudes toward, CAM practices among patients treated by a large Southeastern healthcare system. Between April and June 2004, 951 questionnaires were completed by patients in the waiting rooms of four outpatient clinics, and 241 questionnaires were completed by inpatients at five hospitals. The survey listed 54 CAM practices grouped into dietary practices, natural remedies, mind-body practices, and movement/manual therapies. The attitude questions focused on factors enhancing or limiting patients' receptivity to CAM, and on physician/patient communication. A total of 98.7% of respondents reported having used a CAM practice at any time in the past. The most commonly reported were dietary modifications (54%), multivitamins (62%), and spiritual practices (92%). A great majority (95.7%) agreed with the statement, "I would listen to my doctor if he/she suggested I use alternative medicine." A much smaller proportion (67.4%) reported always telling their doctor about CAM use, and even fewer (40.2%) reported that their doctor always asked about such use. Rates of positive responses to these two items were lowest among well-educated, affluent, Caucasian patients, seen by private (as opposed to faculty or staff) physicians. There was a statistically significant pattern of declining physician-patient communication regarding CAM use with rising education. These results suggest that persons in the southern US are quite receptive to at least some CAM practices. They also make clear that there is considerable room for improvement in physician/patient communication regarding CAM health practices.

Learning Objectives: By the end of the session, the participant will be able to

• Describe the patterns of CAM use in an urban Southeastern population.
• Identify issues that influence physician-patient communication about CAM use.
• Recognize some social and cultural factors that motivate receptivity to (or avoidance of) CAM therapies.

Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies, Health Communications

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation