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Research: EINARSON and colleagues,
Listed in Issue 56
Abstract
EINARSON and colleagues, The Motherisk Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada. einarson@sickkids.on.ca described and compared attitudes and practices of physicians and naturopaths toward herbal medicine.
Background
As the popularity of complementary therapies continues to grow, physicians are asked increasingly by their patients for information regarding these treatments. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of these trends on the attitudes and practices of physicians and naturopaths, and their students, with a particular interest in the use of herbal products during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Methodology
A detailed questionnaire was distributed by a medical student and a naturopathic student to a randomly selected group of physicians, medical students, naturopaths and naturopathic students. They were asked a variety of questions about their background, attitudes and practices concerning herbal products.
Results
Thirty-eight per cent of the questionnaires were returned, with a total of 242 respondents. Fifty-four per cent of physicians discussed complementary therapies with their patients, whereas 100% of naturopaths discussed conventional medicines with their patients. The most popular product recommended by both medical doctors and naturopaths was echinacea, followed by St John's Wort. Eighty-six per cent of physicians, 74% of medical students, 66% of naturopaths and 50% of naturopathic students think that complementary medical education should be incorporated into the standard medical curriculum. One physician recommended a herbal product to a pregnant patient compared with 49% of the naturopaths.
Conclusion
Complementary medicine has become a reality, and physicians are recommending herbal products to their patients, although on a smaller scale than are naturopaths. Physicians are less likely to recommend herbal products to pregnant and breastfeeding women than are naturopaths.
References
Einarson A et al. Attitudes and practices of physicians and naturopaths toward herbal products, including use during pregnancy and lactation. The Canadian Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 7(1): 45-9. Spring 2000.
