Jeremy Y Ng1, Anna Garber2, Michelle Luong3, Kieran Cooley4, Jason W Busse5. 1. Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada. Electronic address: ngjy2@mcmaster.ca. 2. Department of Research, Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, 1255 Sheppard Ave E, North York, ON, M2K 1E2, Canada. Electronic address: anna.garber@ucalgary.ca. 3. Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada. Electronic address: m10luong@ryerson.ca. 4. Department of Research, Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, 1255 Sheppard Ave E, North York, ON, M2K 1E2, Canada. Electronic address: kcooley@ccnm.edu. 5. Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada; The Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada; Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University, 1280, Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada; The Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada. Electronic address: bussejw@mcmaster.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The use of natural health products (NHPs) is common in North America. In 2003, we found that 42% of NHP users had not disclosed this information to their primary care medical doctors (MDs). We repeated our survey in 2018/2019 to explore if the rate of NHP use disclosure had improved. METHODS: From November 2018-February 2019, a 21-item survey about NHP use and disclosure was administered to adult patients who visited the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic in Toronto, Canada. RESULTS: Almost all patients surveyed were using NHPs (99%), and 46% were using NHPs and prescription medication concurrently. Consistent with our 2003 findings, 42% of respondents who used NHPs did not disclose this information to their MD. CONCLUSION: Disclosure of NHP use to MDs by naturopathic patients is limited and remained unchanged over the past 15 years. Future research should explore primary care MDs' hesitancy to inquire about patient NHP use.
BACKGROUND: The use of natural health products (NHPs) is common in North America. In 2003, we found that 42% of NHP users had not disclosed this information to their primary care medical doctors (MDs). We repeated our survey in 2018/2019 to explore if the rate of NHP use disclosure had improved. METHODS: From November 2018-February 2019, a 21-item survey about NHP use and disclosure was administered to adult patients who visited the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic in Toronto, Canada. RESULTS: Almost all patients surveyed were using NHPs (99%), and 46% were using NHPs and prescription medication concurrently. Consistent with our 2003 findings, 42% of respondents who used NHPs did not disclose this information to their MD. CONCLUSION: Disclosure of NHP use to MDs by naturopathic patients is limited and remained unchanged over the past 15 years. Future research should explore primary care MDs' hesitancy to inquire about patientNHP use.