Positive Health Online
Your Country
![[Image: http://www.abundanceandhealth.co.uk]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/2836.df7d2315253110ff5b3a566f94871f99.jpg "http://www.abundanceandhealth.co.uk")
![[Image: https://www.water-for-health.co.uk/]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/4046.12831f50177f8848ee87b8e94411d6b3.jpg "https://www.water-for-health.co.uk/")
![[Image: http://www.balens.co.uk]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/2148.50367fa908013fae0a7f1a171543ef92.jpg "http://www.balens.co.uk")
![[Image: http://www.drsgoodman.com/books-goodman/52-nutrition-and-cancer]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/1859.1296090fd8385e7ceff51c8011559097.jpg "http://www.drsgoodman.com/books-goodman/52-nutrition-and-cancer")
Research: HALL and GILES-CORTI
Listed in Issue 58
Abstract
HALL and GILES-CORTI, Department of Public Health, University of Western Australia surveyed Perth GPs to identify their knowledge, attitudes and referral patterns towards 10 complementary therapies.
Background
Methodology
The study was a descriptive, cross-sectional postal survey, conducted between July and August 1998 inclusive. A random selection of 200 male and 200 female Perth GPs listed in the Australian Medical Association database was made. Ten complementary therapies were listed in the questionnaire: acupuncture, hypnosis, meditation, spinal manipulation, yoga, homeopathy, herbal medicine, naturopathy, massage and aromatherapy.
Results
The response rate was 74.8% (n=282). Over 90% of these GPs reported having been approached by more than 30 patients seeking advice about complementary therapies in the past nine months. The majority were women and over the age of 35. Just less than half (132) of the respondents had undertaken studies in at least one of the listed complementary therapies, with over 60% reporting a wish for further training. Overall, 67.8% (191) of all respondents reported that they were in favour of GP referrals to complementary therapists. However, 56.1% (158) were against complementary therapies being included in private health insurance. In addition, 75% (211) of GPs surveyed had already formally referred a patient to one or more of the listed therapies, the most frequent of these being acupuncture, massage, meditation, hypnosis and spinal manipulation as part of their overall treatment.
Conclusion
The authors concluded that Perth GPs have a high level of interest in complementary therapies and that government regulation and registration of complementary therapies were seen as important. The authors suggest that given this high level of interest, undergraduate and postgraduate training for GPs could be considered as well as development of clinical guide lines.
References
Hall K and Giles-Corti B. Complementary therapies and the general practitioner. A survey of Perth GPs. Australian Family Physician 29(6): 602-6. Jun 2000.
