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alternative + medicine)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	100%

Selected Abstracts

Complementary/Alternative Medicine: an Evidence-based Approach

FOCUS ON ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES AN EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH, Issue 1 2000
E Ernst
[source]

Breast cancer survivors' perceptions and use of complementary/alternative medicine

FOCUS ON ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES AN EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH, Issue 1 2000
H Boon
[source]

Patients' perceptions of cultural factors affecting the quality of their medical encounters

HEALTH EXPECTATIONS, Issue 1 2005
Anna M. Nápoles-Springer PhD
Abstract Objective, The aim of this study was to identify key domains of cultural competence from the perspective of ethnically and linguistically diverse patients. Design, The study involved one-time focus groups in community settings with 61 African,Americans, 45 Latinos and 55 non-Latino Whites. Participants' mean age was 48 years, 45% were women, and 47% had less than a high school education. Participants in 19 groups were asked the meaning of ,culture' and what cultural factors influenced the quality of their medical encounters. Each text unit (TU or identifiable continuous verbal utterance) of focus group transcripts was content analysed to identify key dimensions using inductive and deductive methods. The proportion of TUs was calculated for each dimension by ethnic group. Results, Definitions of culture common to all three ethnic groups included value systems (25% of TUs), customs (17%), self-identified ethnicity (15%), nationality (11%) and stereotypes (4%). Factors influencing the quality of medical encounters common to all ethnic groups included sensitivity to complementary/alternative medicine (17%), health insurance-based discrimination (12%), social class-based discrimination (9%), ethnic concordance of physician and patient (8%), and age-based discrimination (4%). Physicians' acceptance of the role of spirtuality (2%) and of family (2%), and ethnicity-based discrimination (11%) were cultural factors specific to non-Whites. Language issues (21%) and immigration status (5%) were Latino-specific factors. Conclusions, Providing quality health care to ethnically diverse patients requires cultural flexibility to elicit and respond to cultural factors in medical encounters. Interventions to reduce disparities in health and health care in the USA need to address cultural factors that affect the quality of medical encounters. [source]

Acupuncture for schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 11 2009
M. S. Lee
Summary Background:, Acupuncture is one of the most popular types of complementary/alternative medicine. It is sometimes used as a treatment for schizophrenia. Aims:, The objective of this review is to assess systematically the clinical evidence for or against acupuncture as a treatment for schizophrenia. Methods:, We searched 20 databases from their inception to May 2009 without language restrictions. All randomised clinical trials (RCTs) of acupuncture, with or without electrical stimulation or moxibustion for patients with schizophrenia were considered for inclusion. Results:, Thirteen RCTs, all originating from China, met the inclusion criteria. One RCT reported significant effects of electroacupuncture (EA) plus drug therapy for improving auditory hallucunations and positive symptom compared with sham EA plus drug therapy. Four RCTs showed significant effects of acupuncture for response rate compared with antipsychotic drugs [n = 360, relative risk (RR): 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03,1.34, p = 0.01; heterogeneity: ,2 = 0.00, ,2 = 2.98, p = 0.39, I2 = 0%]. Seven RCTs showed significant effects of acupuncture plus antipsychotic drug therapy for response rate compared with antipsychotic drug therapy (n = 457, RR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.04,1.28, p = 0.008, heterogeneity: ,2 = 0.00, ,2 = 6.56, p = 0.36, I2 = 9%). Two RCTs tested laser acupuncture against sham laser acupuncture. One RCT found beneficial effects of laser acupuncture on hallucination and the other RCT showed significant effects of laser acupuncture on response rate, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and clinical global index compared with sham laser. The methodological quality was generally poor and there was not a single high quality trial. Conclusion:, These results provide limited evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating the symptoms of schizophrenia. However, the total number of RCTs, the total sample size and the methodological quality were too low to draw firm conclusions. As all studies originated from China, international studies are needed to test whether there is any effect. [source]

Professional practices and experiences with complementary medicines: a cross-sectional study involving community pharmacists in England

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE, Issue 3 2007
Joanne Barnes associate professor in herbal medicines
Objective As retailers of complementary medicines (CMs), pharmacists are well placed to advise consumers on the safe and effective use of these products; where CMs are available in pharmacies, pharmacists should be well informed about such products. This study explored the extent to which CMs are available in community pharmacies in England, and examined pharmacists' experiences, professional practices and training with regard to these products. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving a structured questionnaire posted to community pharmacists. Coded follow-up mailings were sent to non-responders after 2 and 4 months, and a reminder telephone call made after 3 months. Setting All community pharmacists in six areas (Devon, Cornwall, Bradford, Leeds, Manchester, Stockport) of England (total n = 1337). Key findings The response rate was 66.5%. Overall, 92% of respondents reported that CMs (excluding vitamins/minerals) are sold in the pharmacy in which they practise, 81% had received requests from patients/consumers for specific CMs in the previous year, and 58% had recommended CMs. Around 70% of respondents rarely/never asks about CMs use when counter-prescribing conventional medicines or when receiving reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with conventional medicines. In total, 40% of respondents had undertaken training in complementary/alternative medicine (CAM). Pharmacists who had undertaken training were more likely to ask patients/consumers specifically about use of CMs when counter-prescribing conventional over-the-counter (OTC) medicines (37.0% versus 23.4%, respectively; ,2 = 17.4; P = 0.0003) and when receiving reports from patients/customers of suspected ADRs associated with conventional (prescribed or OTC) medicines (35.6% versus 23.8%, respectively; ,2 = 13.0; P = 0.0003). Conclusion CMs are widely available in pharmacies in England, and pharmacists interact with users of these products. An opportunity exists for pharmacists to embrace a professional role as expert advisors on CMs. However, pharmacists' training, professional practices and competence with respect to CMs first need to improve. [source]