J Gulla1, A J Singer. 1. Department of Emergency Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess emergency department patients' use of alternative therapies. METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional observational survey of a convenience sample of ED patients. A trained research assistant administered a written questionnaire asking patients about alternative therapies. RESULTS: Of the 139 patients surveyed, 78 (56%) had tried alternative therapies in the past, 68 (87%) of whom believed that they were effective. The most frequently tried alternative therapies were massage therapy (31%), chiropractic (30%), herbs (24%), meditation (19%), and acupuncture (15%). Most patients (70%) who tried alternative therapies did not inform their physicians of such practice. CONCLUSION: Most ED patients in our sample had tried alternative therapies and among these patients, most did not inform their physicians. Herbal therapy in particular had been tried by about 1 in 4 patients. Emergency physicians should routinely question their patients regarding the use of alternative therapies, particularly herbal preparations, which may cause adverse effects.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess emergency department patients' use of alternative therapies. METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional observational survey of a convenience sample of ED patients. A trained research assistant administered a written questionnaire asking patients about alternative therapies. RESULTS: Of the 139 patients surveyed, 78 (56%) had tried alternative therapies in the past, 68 (87%) of whom believed that they were effective. The most frequently tried alternative therapies were massage therapy (31%), chiropractic (30%), herbs (24%), meditation (19%), and acupuncture (15%). Most patients (70%) who tried alternative therapies did not inform their physicians of such practice. CONCLUSION: Most ED patients in our sample had tried alternative therapies and among these patients, most did not inform their physicians. Herbal therapy in particular had been tried by about 1 in 4 patients. Emergency physicians should routinely question their patients regarding the use of alternative therapies, particularly herbal preparations, which may cause adverse effects.
Authors: Jihui Guan; Zunyou Wu; Li Li; Chunqing Lin; Mary Jane Rotheram-Borus; Roger Detels; Julie Hsieh Journal: AIDS Patient Care STDS Date: 2009-06 Impact factor: 5.078
Authors: Peter J H Beliveau; Jessica J Wong; Deborah A Sutton; Nir Ben Simon; André E Bussières; Silvano A Mior; Simon D French Journal: Chiropr Man Therap Date: 2017-11-22
Authors: Khafsa Malik; Mushtaq Ahmad; Rainer W Bussmann; Akash Tariq; Riaz Ullah; Ali S Alqahtani; Abdelaaty A Shahat; Neelam Rashid; Muhammad Zafar; Shazia Sultana; Syed N Shah Journal: Front Pharmacol Date: 2018-07-24 Impact factor: 5.810