Use of and attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine among osteopathic medical students
Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 08/03/2012
Kanadiya MK et al. – Osteopathic medical students had a positive attitude toward CAM and had high levels of self–reported CAM knowledge and use. Osteopathic medical students who acquire professional training and have personal experience with CAM may be in a better position to discuss CAM with future patients.
Methods- A previously validated, 29–item Integrative Medicine Attitude Questionnaire and a 10–item CAM Health Belief Questionnaire were administered to osteopathic medical students.
- Demographic and other data were collected on student use of and recommendations for CAM modalities as well as student awareness and use of primary CAM information resources.
- Survey respondents were 635 osteopathic medical students from 7 osteopathic medical schools and additional locations in the United States.
- Osteopathic medical students demonstrated positive attitudes toward CAM use.
- A total of 527 osteopathic medical students (83.0%) self–reported the use of at least 1 CAM modality, whereas 69 students (10.9%) used just 1 CAM modality and 458 (72.1%) used 2 or more modalities.
- The most commonly used CAM modalities–meditation/yoga/relaxation/imagery, massage, and spirituality/prayer–were also most likely to be suggested to patients by osteopathic medical students.
- Sex, age, and the use of CAM modalities were significantly correlated with attitudes toward CAM modalities.
