A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION OF MALAYSIAN DOCTORS' PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES (CAM)
Author(s)
Farooqui M1, Othman CN2, Hassali AA3, Saleem F3, Ul Haq N3, Sadeeqa S4
1Universiti Teknologi MARA, Penang, Malaysia, 2Universiti Teknologi MARA, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, 3Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia, 4Universiti Sains Malaysia(USM), Pinang, Malaysia
OBJECTIVES: The study aims to assess doctors’ perceptions towards Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) in their medical practice, factors that affect the referral of CAM and suggestions to improve CAM in medical practice. METHODS: A qualitative research approach was adopted to gain a better understanding of the current perceptions and practice held by doctors’ within their medical professions. In order to gain a wide perspective of the issue, eleven doctors were purposively selected who were working in academics, hospitals and in the community health clinics. Participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. A saturation point was reached after the 10th interview, and no new information emerged with the subsequent interviews. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed by means of a standard content analysis framework. RESULTS: The doctors expressed a range of views on CAM that can be divided into two major themes: doctors’ knowledge and understanding towards CAM and doctors’ viewpoint on CAM in their professional practice. A key factor which affected doctor’s perspectives on CAM was the lack of scientific evidences. The attitudes on CAM were basically shaped based on their personal CAM use rather than knowledge gained during an academic course. Lack of knowledge on CAM was also attributing to the doctors’ reluctance in CAM discussion with their patients. Though addition of CAM courses into the medical curriculum was proposed by some of the doctors; the practical implication was criticized as some found medical curriculum heavily packed with the biomedical courses. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of the doctors in this study were skeptical and uncertain about CAM due to lack of scientific evidence. Doctor-patient communication on CAM can only be improved when doctors’ knowledge on CAM can be improved by providing necessary training on CAM.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2014-09, ISPOR Asia Pacific 2014, Beijing, China
Value in Health, Vol. 17, No. 7 (November 2014)
Code
PHP25
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care, Organizational Practices
Topic Subcategory
Academic & Educational, Prescribing Behavior, Public Health
Disease
Multiple Diseases