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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Jennifer Lee, MPH¹, Michael S. Goldstein, PhD¹, E. Richard Brown, PhD¹, and Yii-Chieh Huang, MPH, MSCS². (1) Department of Community Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, School of Public Health, 10833 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90095, 3107942212, jlee118@ucla.edu, (2) UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, 10911 Weyburn Avenue, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA, CA 90024

Relatively few studies examine patients' disclosure of complementary and alternative medicine use (CAM) to their physicians. Previous studies have identified barriers to communication and reasons for why CAM use is not disclosed. This study looks at the specific characteristics associated with individuals' disclosure of CAM utilization to their physicians. The data are from the California Health Interview Survey - CAM supplement, (N=9,187) which is representative of adults in the state in terms of most sociodemographic variables. Outcome variables include the utilization CAM providers, special diet and mind-body techniques. We find that factors associated with disclosure vary by the type of CAM utilized. Insurance status, health status, percent time spent in the US, and English proficiency are significantly associated with disclosure of any provider use. Age, insurance status, percent time spent in the US, health status, and citizenship status are significantly associated with disclosure of special diet use. Disclosure of mind-body technique use is associated with sex, educational status, insurance status, percent time spent in the US, health status, citizenship status, and English proficiency. The results of this study emphasize the need to further study why and how various factors affect disclosure of various types of CAM utilization. The implications of these findings for understanding and addressing barriers to disclosure of CAM utilization will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to

• Identify factors associated with individuals’ disclosure of various types of CAM utilization to their physician;
• Determine key areas where more research needs to be done; and
• Develop ideas for addressing potential barriers and improving physician patient communication

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered