Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2003; 8: 137
Significant prevalence of concurrent use of CAM and primary care services has been described. A report (reference available from author) explores the nature of concurrent CAM use, involvement of the NHS and characteristics of CAM users.
Patients attending six health centres in Scotland, selected to represent a range of socio-economic deprivation and rurality, were invited to complete a postal questionnaire.
Response rate was 60% (1198 of 2000), 1174 available for analysis (13 were attending for someone else; 11 incomplete questionnaires). A total of 514 (of 1174) patients describe 1194 concurrent CAM uses. Musculoskeletal problems are a major reason for using CAM. There is no ‘typical CAM user’, but middle-aged female patients, with higher educational attainment and a weekly household income of £300 or more are more likely to use CAM. The provision of CAM within the GP practice has a significant influence on the use of CAM in the practice population. There are significant differences in the prescribing profiles of NHS professional, non-NHS therapist and self-prescribed use of CAM. Patients want their GP to be involved in the aspects of their care found in the CAM field. Of CAM uses, 11% were administered by an NHS professional. Only 34% of patients had told their GP about their CAM use.
Routine recording of CAM use in the medical history is recommended to allow a more integrated approach to therapy and to avoid potentially harmful interactions. Validation of self-care measures is an essential aspect of a patient-led NHS.
