Jennifer N Goldstein1, Said A Ibrahim2, Eitan S Frankel3, Jun J Mao4. 1. Department of Medicine, Christiana Care Health System, Ammon 2E72A, 4755 Ogletown-Stanton Rd, Newark, Delaware, USA. 2. Center for Health Equity and Promotion, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Suite 200, 4100 Chester Ave, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. 3. University of Illinois College of Medicine, 808 S Wood St, Chicago, Illinois, USA. 4. Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, 227 Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and determinants of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) interest level among a racially diverse cohort of inner city veterans who receive primary care at the VA Medical Center. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey study SETTING: Philadelphia VA Medical Center SUBJECTS: Primary care patients (n = 258) METHODS: Interest in CAM was measured using a single item question. Patient treatment beliefs were assessed using validated instruments. We evaluated factors associated with patient interest in CAM using a multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: In this sample of 258 inner city primary care VA patients, interest in CAM was high 80% (n = 206). Interest in CAM was strongly associated with African American race [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.19, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.05-4.60, P = 0.037], higher levels of education (AOR 4.33, 95% CI 1.80-10.40, P = 0.001), presence of moderate to severe pain (AOR 2.02, 95% CI 1.02-4.78, P = 0.043), and expectations of benefit from CAM use (AOR 1.21, 95% CI 1.06-1.36, P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: CAM approaches have broad appeal within this inner city cohort of veterans, particularly among African Americans, those that experience pain and those that expect greater benefit from CAM. These findings may inform the development of patient-centered integrative pain management for veterans. Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and determinants of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) interest level among a racially diverse cohort of inner city veterans who receive primary care at the VA Medical Center. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey study SETTING: Philadelphia VA Medical Center SUBJECTS: Primary care patients (n = 258) METHODS: Interest in CAM was measured using a single item question. Patient treatment beliefs were assessed using validated instruments. We evaluated factors associated with patient interest in CAM using a multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: In this sample of 258 inner city primary care VA patients, interest in CAM was high 80% (n = 206). Interest in CAM was strongly associated with African American race [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.19, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.05-4.60, P = 0.037], higher levels of education (AOR 4.33, 95% CI 1.80-10.40, P = 0.001), presence of moderate to severe pain (AOR 2.02, 95% CI 1.02-4.78, P = 0.043), and expectations of benefit from CAM use (AOR 1.21, 95% CI 1.06-1.36, P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: CAM approaches have broad appeal within this inner city cohort of veterans, particularly among African Americans, those that experience pain and those that expect greater benefit from CAM. These findings may inform the development of patient-centered integrative pain management for veterans. Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Authors: David E Reed; Barbara G Bokhour; Lauren Gaj; Anna M Barker; Jamie H Douglas; Rian DeFaccio; Rhonda M Williams; Charles C Engel; Steven B Zeliadt Journal: Glob Adv Health Med Date: 2022-02-11