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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Migdalia V. Rivera-Goba, EdD, RN¹, Gwenyth R. Wallen, PhD, RN¹, Juan Mendoza, AAS¹, Laura Longstaff, BS¹, Nicole Schuett², Robert Miranda-Acevedo, MPH², Keli Carrington, MA², Janet Austin, PhD², Deloris Koziol, PhD¹, Gregory Dennis, MD², and Barbara Mittlleman, MD². (1) Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Dr., MSC-1905, Bethesa, MD 20892-1905, 301-451-3954, mriverag@mail.cc.nih.gov, (2) National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 31 Center Drive, Bldg. 31, Room 4C02, Bethesda, MD 20892

Background: “Enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition (WHO).” Yet marked differences in the incidence, prevalence, severity, processes of care, and outcomes in rheumatic diseases exist among racial and ethnic groups. These patients are often faced with deciding whether to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as part of their treatment regime. Methods: Phase three (n=109) of a mixed methods study examined CAM use and patient-provider decision making among minority patients with rheumatic diseases. Participants were predominantly female (n=82); Hispanic (n=46) or African American (n=40); with a mean age of 51.0 ± SD 13.9. Instruments included: Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale; Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire; Wong-Baker Faces; Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale; Short Acculturation Scale; and Inventory of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practices. Additionally, qualitative questions examined reasons for choosing CAM. Results: Pain relief was the primary reason participants identified for using CAM. Common types of CAM included spiritual/relaxation/mind-body (52%), rubs/lotions/creams/oils (48%), and exercise or movement (43%). Regarding treatment decisions, 59.6% reported that their doctor would ask their help in deciding treatment; and 47.7% stated their doctor made an effort to give them control over their treatment “often” to “very often.” Conclusions: Rheumatic disease patients continue to seek ways to meet their pain control needs through the use of CAM. Involving minority patients in decisions regarding their health and treatment may serve to improve patient-provider communication regarding CAM use.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, the participant (learner) will be able to

• Describe the relationship between pain and CAM use.
• Discuss how patients are/are not involved in making decisions about their health.
• Identify factors that influence decision making.

Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies, Decision-Making

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered