scholarly journals How is Social Media Used in the Context of Complementary and Alternative Medicine? A Scoping Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy Y. Ng ◽  
Natasha Verhoeff ◽  
Jeremy Steen
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Media Research ◽  
Social Media Research ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Abstract Background Despite the increased use of social media to share health-related information and the substantial impact that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) can have on individuals’ health and wellbeing, currently, to our knowledge, there is no review that compiles research on how social media is used in the context of CAM. The objective of this study was to summarize the research on how social media is used in the context of CAM. Methods A scoping review was conducted to investigate how social media is used in the context of CAM, following Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage methodological framework. MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, AMED, and CINAHL databases were systematically searched, in addition to the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technology in Health (CADTH) website. Eligible articles had to have investigated how at least one social media platform is used in the context of a single or multiple types of CAM treatments. Results Searches retrieved 1714 items following deduplication, of which 1687 titles and abstracts were eliminated, leaving 94 full-text articles to be considered. Of those, 65 were not eligible, leaving a total of 29 articles eligible for review. Four themes emerged from our analysis: 1) social media is used to share user/practitioner beliefs, attitudes, and experiences about CAM, 2) social media acts as a vehicle for the spread of misinformation about CAM, 3) there are unique challenges with social media research in the context of CAM, 4) social media is effective in delivering CAM-related therapy and information. Conclusions This scoping review is the first, to our knowledge, to provide a descriptive analysis of the literature regarding how social media is used in the context of CAM. In addition to social media being a useful tool to share user/practitioner beliefs, attitudes, and experiences about CAM, it has shown to be accessible, effective, and a viable option in delivering CAM therapies and information. Social media has also shown to spread a large amount of misleading and false information in the context of CAM. Additionally, this review highlights the challenges with conducting social media research in the context of CAM, particularly in collecting a representative sample.

scholarly journals Addressing barriers to the conduct and application of research in complementary and alternative medicine: a scoping review

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasamin Veziari ◽  
Saravana Kumar ◽  
Matthew Leach
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Educational Strategies ◽  
The Cochrane Library ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Abstract Background Over the past few decades, the popularity of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has grown considerably and along with it, scrutiny regarding its evidence base. While this is to be expected, and is in line with other health disciplines, research in CAM is confronted by numerous obstacles. This scoping review aims to identify and report the strategies implemented to address barriers to the conduct and application of research in CAM. Methods The scoping review was undertaken using the Arksey and O’Malley framework. The search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMCARE, ERIC, Scopus, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, JBI and the grey literature. Two reviewers independently screened the records, following which data extraction was completed for the included studies. Descriptive synthesis was used to summarise the data. Results Of the 7945 records identified, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. Using the oBSTACLES instrument as a framework, the included studies reported diverse strategies to address barriers to the conduct and application of research in CAM. All included studies reported the use of educational strategies and collaborative initiatives with CAM stakeholders, including targeted funding, to address a range of barriers. Conclusions While the importance of addressing barriers to the conduct and application of research in CAM has been recognised, to date, much of the focus has been limited to initiatives originating from a handful of jurisdictions, for a small group of CAM disciplines, and addressing few barriers. Myriad barriers continue to persist, which will require concerted effort and collaboration across a range of CAM stakeholders and across multiple sectors. Further research can contribute to the evidence base on how best to address these barriers to promote the conduct and application of research in CAM.

Characterization of Complementary and Alternative Medicine-Related Consultations in an Academic Drug Information Service

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 539-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip J. Gregory ◽  
Mohamed A. Jalloh ◽  
Andrew M. Abe ◽  
James Hu ◽  
Darren J. Hein
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Drug Information ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Information Service ◽  
Therapeutic Use ◽  
Drug Information Service ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Purpose: To characterize requests received through an academic drug information consultation service related to complementary and alternative medicines. Methods: A retrospective review and descriptive analysis of drug information consultations was conducted. Results: A total of 195 consultations related to complementary and alternative medicine were evaluated. All consultation requests involved questions about dietary supplements. The most common request types were related to safety and tolerability (39%), effectiveness (38%), and therapeutic use (34%). Sixty-eight percent of the requests were from pharmacists. The most frequent consultation requests from pharmacists were questions related to drug interactions (37%), therapeutic use (37%), or stability/compatibility/storage (34%). Nearly 60% of complementary and alternative medicine-related consultation requests were able to be completely addressed using available resources. Among review sources, Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Clinical Pharmacology, Micromedex, and Pharmacist’s Letter were the most common resources used to address consultations. Conclusion: Utilization of a drug information service may be a viable option for health care professionals to help answer a complementary and alternative medicine-related question. Additionally, pharmacists and other health care professionals may consider acquiring resources identified to consistently answering these questions.

scholarly journals The role of spirituality and spiritual care in complementary and alternative medicine: A scoping review

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 714-724
Author(s):  
Mujeeb Hoosen ◽  
Nicolette Vanessa Roman ◽  
Thuli Godfrey Mthembu
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Spiritual Care ◽  
Medical Science ◽  
Holistic Treatment ◽  
Practitioner Perceptions ◽  
Academic Search ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Background: Spirituality has become more prevalent in health professions other than complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). In CAM, spirituality appears to be part of a foundational component of the clinical practice, which is valued by many patients. Spirituality has gained popularity in healthcare education and practice; however, the contribution made by CAM remains minimal evidenced by the paucity of studies on the topic of spirituality in CAM. Therefore, there is need for a scoping review to: 1) to explore the focus and nature of research on spirituality in CAM; 2) to provide recommendations based on the relational aspects between spirituality and CAM. Methods: A scoping review was performed of all relevant articles found in Ebscohost (Academic Search Complete), Science Direct, and Scopus published between 2000 and 2019. This scoping review included two hundred and six studies, of these, twentytwo articles focussed on the role of spirituality in CAM. Results: These four themes were reported in the results: spirituality as a modality of CAM; patient perceptions of the role of spirituality and CAM; practitioner perceptions of the role of spirituality and CAM; and the role of spirituality and CAM in education and practice. Spirituality was considered an important component and was linked to culture, traditions and/or religious beliefs. The use of spirituality in CAM was especially linked to patients living with chronic disease such as diabetes, cardiac conditions and cancer. Spirituality seemingly facilitated health care and while patients expected spirituality healthcare advice from CAM practitioners most CAM practitioners felt ill equipped to deal with the topic appropriately. Conclusions: Overall, this scoping review highlights that the role of spirituality in CAM seem to be of value for both practitioners and clients within the CAM clinical setting. However, only a few practitioners include spiritual healthcare advice without clear guidelines. Consequently, this may compromise the holistic treatment, which so many patients expect within the CAM domain. Therefore, there is a need for the inclusion of spirituality in the CAM curriculum and guidelines for CAM practitioners. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.20(4) 2021 p.714-724

scholarly journals Medical students use, attitudes towards, and knowledge of complementary and alternative medicine: A scoping review

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 107-117
Author(s):  
Sarah Brown ◽  
Justin L C Bilszta
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Medical Curriculum ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes And Knowledge ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Introduction: Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is popular in the general population and medical practitioners may not be fully equipped in their knowledge of CAM to advise patients appropriately. The aim of this paper was to perform a scoping review of current literature describing undergraduate medical student use, attitudes, and knowledge of CAM as a means of better understanding the educational needs of these students. Methods: A systematic search of Medline, PubMed and the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) databases with keywords related to “complementary and alternative medicine” and “undergraduate medical students” for relevant articles published until August 2020. Results: Of 131 papers identified, 38 underwent full review. It was found 13-80% of medical students use CAM, and overall have a positive attitude towards CAM therapies. Female medical students and those with religiosity had more positive attitudes towards CAM than their male colleagues and those without a religion. Knowledge of CAM is lacking with approximately only half of students feeling they were knowledgeable about CAM therapies. Popular information resources are the Internet and social media, but students expressed they want more teaching of CAM in the undergraduate medical curriculum. Conclusion: Evidence suggests high usage of CAM amongst undergraduate medical students, and positive attitudes towards CAM therapies; however, knowledge of CAM is poor, and students want more CAM teaching to upskill them in counselling patients interested in CAM therapies. Further areas for research include a better understanding of resources medical students use for their knowledge and how gender and religiosity influence attitudes towards CAM.

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