scholarly journals Risk and Efficacy in Biomedical Media Representations of Herbal Medicine and Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 210-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monique Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Medical Journal ◽  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Research Articles ◽  
Review Articles ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

The objective of the research was to map the discourse about herbal medicine in Australia’s primary medical journal, the Medical Journal of Australia, over 4 decades. Manifest content analysis of 148 articles about herbal or complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in journal articles from 1966 to 2008 was undertaken. Issues of risk dominated the discourse about herbal medicine in the journal (70%), with a focus on adverse events (42%) as the most significant risk of herbal and other complementary medicines. Toxicity (23%) and drug interactions (18%) were the most frequently mentioned specific risk items. Items that acknowledged efficacy (32%) outweighed those suggesting ineffectiveness (11%). Case reports, reviews, research articles, and letters all had risk frequencies of more than 70%. Review articles and research articles had a high rate of reference to both risk and benefit. Review articles were found to have greater reference to benefit than risk. Possible reasons for these findings are discussed.

scholarly journals Collaborating with Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Providers When Writing HPV Vaccine Review Articles

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 592
Author(s):  
Michael J. Deml ◽  
Léna G. Dietrich ◽  
Bernhard Wingeier ◽  
Gisela Etter ◽  
Caesar Gallmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Hpv Vaccine ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Communication Tools ◽  
Provider Perspectives ◽  
Review Articles ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Novel strategies are needed to address vaccine hesitancy (VH), which correlates with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). In Switzerland, CAM providers play important roles in vaccine counseling of vaccine hesitant (VH) parents, and traditional vaccination messaging tends to overlook CAM provider perspectives. In the setting of a Swiss national research program on VH, our key strategy has been to work together closely with CAM providers. To assess the feasibility of generating educational human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine materials that would interest VH healthcare providers (HCPs), we invited four CAM providers to co-author two HPV vaccine review articles for general practitioners. We conducted thematic analysis of CAM provider comments to identify patterns that could complement and improve vaccination messaging from CAM perspectives. We identified several themes and generated an inventory of CAM provider messaging recommendations related to language use, presentation of background information, nuanced statements regarding HPV vaccine efficacy and safety, and communication tools that would be important to VH HCPs. Contrary to our initial expectations, and in an inclusive, respectful atmosphere of open dialogue, we were able to productively finalize our manuscripts. In the opinion of the CAM co-authors, the manuscripts effectively considered the communication needs and perspectives of VH HCPs. Engaging with CAM providers appears to be a feasible and innovative avenue for providing vaccine information and designing communication tools aimed at VH healthcare providers.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine in patients with inherited metabolic disease

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 1091-1098 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sahin Erdol ◽  
Halil Saglam
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Disease ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Herbal Product ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Inherited Metabolic Disease ◽  
Survey Form ◽  
The Mind ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Abstract Background There are no studies on the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies in subjects with inherited metabolic disease (IMD) in the current literature. This study aimed to determine the type, frequency of and reasons for the use, and factors associated with the use of CAM therapies. Methods Subjects included in this study consisted of 335 children (95.7%) and 15 (4.3%) adults with a median age of 5.66±6.16 (0.08–48) years with inherited metabolic disease. A single physician conducted face-to-face interviews with the mother and/or father for pediatric subjects and with the subjects themselves for adults of a normal intelligence. Data were obtained from responses to the questions in the standard survey form. Results Our study included 350 patients in total, of whom 164 (46.9%) were female and 186 (53.1%) male. We found that 144 of the patients (41.1%) had used at least one CAM therapy method. The highest rate of use among the CAM therapy methods was of the mind-body approach therapies (n=98, 28%). This was followed by biologically-based (n=75, 21.4%) and manipulative and body-based (n=5, 1.4%) therapies, respectively. The most commonly used herbal product was herbal tea (n=21, 6%), and the most commonly used dietary supplementation was a royal jelly and pollen mixture (n=9, 2.6%). Significant differences in the subjects’ age, their follow-up duration, their mother’s and father’s ages, and CAM therapy use were identified from sociodemographic data. Conclusions In our study, the use of CAM therapies was determined at a high rate. This is important when dealing with clinical problems and for clinicians who follow-up with IMD subjects and suspect they may be using CAM therapy.

scholarly journals Utilization of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Korean Elite Athletes: Current Status and Future Implications

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Bo-Young Youn ◽  
Seongwan Ju ◽  
Shinhyoung Joo ◽  
Hoseok Kang ◽  
Kiyoung Jeon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
General Population ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Future Research ◽  
National Team ◽  
The Status ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

The objective of the study was to explore the status of usage of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among Korean elite athletes. A survey was emailed to all Korean national sports federations recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia. A total of 705 Korean elite athletes participated in this study. The athletes had to be any of the following to participate in this survey: elite intercollegiate athletes, professional athletes, and national team athletes. 83.3% of the participants stated that they have previously experienced Korean medicine (KM). Compared to the general population in Korea, athletes had more experience (general population = 73.8%). The participants without experience mentioned that they either did not need any KM treatments (39.8%) or lacked information (39.8%) regarding KM treatments. The primary reason for the utilization of KM was the effectiveness of treatments. Therefore, 70.8% of the participants have mentioned recommending KM to others. Generally, athletes are worrisome that the consumption of herbal medicine may not be doping-free; however, it is vital to note that 62% of the participants expressed that prescribed herbal medicine is safe. Overall, this research demonstrates a high prevalence of KM usage by intercollegiate, professional, and national team athletes in Korea. Hence, this study’s results may serve as the foundation in future research directions for promoting KM among Korean elite athletes.

Integration of complementary and alternative medicine information and advice in chronic disease management guidelines

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Team ◽  
Rachel Canaway ◽  
Lenore Manderson
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Chronic Condition ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Management Guidelines ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Relevant Evidence ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

The growing evidence on the benefits and risks of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and its high rate of use (69% of Australians) – particularly for chronic or recurrent conditions – means increasing attention on CAM. However, few people disclose CAM use to their GP, and health professionals tend to inadequately discuss CAM-related issues with their patients, partly due to insufficient knowledge. As clinical and non-clinical chronic condition management guidelines are a means to educate primary health care practitioners, we undertook a content analysis of guidelines relevant to two common chronic conditions – cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) – to assess their provision of CAM-related information. Ten current Australian guidelines were reviewed, revealing scant CAM content. When available, the CAM-relevant information was brief, in some cases unclear, inconclusive and lacking in direction to the GP or health care provider. Although we focus on CVD and T2DM, we argue the value of all chronic condition management guidelines integrating relevant evidence-informed information and advice on CAM risks, benefits and referrals, to increase GP awareness and knowledge of appropriate CAM therapies, and potentially to facilitate doctor–client discussion about CAM.

Complementary and alternative medicine for multiple sclerosis

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 1113-1119 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Schwarz ◽  
C Knorr ◽  
H Geiger ◽  
P Flachenecker
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Duration Of Illness ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

We analyzed characteristics, motivation, and effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine in a large sample of people with multiple sclerosis. A 53-item survey was mailed to the members of the German Multiple Sclerosis Society, chapter of Baden-Wuerttemberg. Surveys of 1573 patients (48.5 ± 11.7 years, 74% women, duration of illness 18.1 ± 10.5 years) were analyzed. In comparison with conventional medicine, more patients displayed a positive attitude toward complementary and alternative medicine (44% vs 38%, P < 0.05), with 70% reporting lifetime use of at least one method. Among a wide variety of complementary and alternative medicine, diet modification (41%), Omega-3 fatty acids (37%), removal of amalgam fillings (28%), vitamins E (28%), B (36%), and C (28%), homeopathy (26%), and selenium (24%) were cited most frequently. Most respondents (69%) were satisfied with the effects of complementary and alternative medicine. Use of complementary and alternative medicine was associated with religiosity, functional independence, female sex, white-collar job, and higher education ( P < 0.05). Compared with conventional therapies, complementary and alternative medicine rarely showed unwanted side effects (9% vs 59%, P < 0.00001). A total of 52% stated that the initial consultation with their physician lasted less than 15 min. To conclude, main reasons for the use of complementary and alternative medicine include the high rate of side effects and low levels of satisfaction with conventional treatments and brief patients/physicians contacts.

Study of the use of complementary and alternative medicine by cancer patients at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 918-928 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryanne Ong’udi ◽  
Pegotty Mutai ◽  
Irene Weru
Keyword(s):  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
National Hospital ◽  
Kenyatta National Hospital ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Introduction Cancer is not only a burden in the country but also a global burden with among the highest rate of mortality. In spite of the great strides made by the conventional therapy, many cancer patients have resorted to using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as human beings have an innate urge to try new and alternative ways to relieve their suffering. Objectives There is a need for us to establish if the cancer patients at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi use CAM, to establish the socio-demographic characteristics of patients in the oncology clinic, to establish the types and patterns of CAM use, to establish the reasons and factors that may contribute to CAM use and if the primary health care provider is aware that they are using CAM. Methodology Face-to-face interviews using semi-structured questionnaires were used to determine the use of CAM by the cancer patients. All consenting cancer patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria were interviewed as they presented to the oncology clinic. Results A total of 78 respondents were interviewed during the study out of which 35 (44.9%) were male, while 43 (55.1%) were female. The age distribution was from 18 to above. Eleven patients (14.1%) have used CAM at one point during their treatment. The use of CAM was not affected by the age, gender, and marital status, level of education and level of income. The most frequently used CAM was herbal medicine; 64.0% of the patients used CAM with the hope of curing their disease, while 36.0% used it with the hope of getting symptomatic relief. Among the CAM users, only 45.0% were satisfied with the use of it, while 55.0% were disappointed as it did not meet their expectations and would therefore never recommend the of CAM to anyone else; 27.0% obtained some benefit from the use of CAM, 27.0% did not experience any benefit and a further 46.0% were unclear about any notable benefit experienced; 55.0% of the CAM users had disclosed their use of CAM to the doctor, while 45.0% did not disclose this reason mostly because they do not feel it is important to let the doctor know as he/she never asks. Conclusion The prevalence of CAM use among cancer patients in Kenyatta National Hospital ranks lower compared to other countries. The most common type of CAM in use is herbal medicine. However, most patients do not obtain the expected benefits and do not disclose this information to the doctors as they feel it is not important.

scholarly journals Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Patients with Cancer and their Relationship with Health Behaviours: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Ślusarska ◽  
Aneta Brygida Jędrzejewska ◽  
Zdzisława Szadowska - Szlachetka
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Oncological Patients ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

An increasing number of persons with cancer decide to choose complementary and alternative medicine. The purpose of the paper was to check the status of the use of complementary and alternative medicine methods in oncological patients and to compare health behaviours of patients using Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) with those using neither of these methods. The studies were conducted from August till January 2020 in the Oncology Center in the south-eastern Poland. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a group of 208 oncological patients. The authors' own questionnaire and the standardized Health Behaviour Inventory were used. Most of the patients (85,09%) declared that they used complementary and alternative medicine methods. The most common methods chosen by the respondents included vitamin C, green tea and prayer. The vast majority of the respondents did not inform their oncologist about the use of CAM. 45,19% of the respondents had a high rate of health behaviours. It was observed that there was no communication related to the use of CAM among the patients and healthcare staff. Patients using CAM demonstrated more positive health behaviours than those who were not using these methods.

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