|
Surveys
- UK
Alternative &
Complementary Medicine
UK
Doctors attitudes to complementary/alternative therapies
Researchers at the University of Exeter reviewed twelve surveys of doctors in an attempt identify whether doctors perceive complementary medicine as useful and/or effective. The findings revealed that there was a considerable variation between the surveys; on average 46 per cent considered complementary therapies to be effective but it was noted that young doctors were significantly more favourable to complementary therapies than older doctors.
Ernst et al. Complementary medicine. What physicians think of it: a meta analysis. Arch Intern Med. 155(22): 2405-8 Dec 11-25 1995
return to
top
WHICH? survey shows public support alternatives!
The latest report from the consumer association WHICH? reveals that public confidence and support for alternative and complementary medicines is continuing to grow.
During July and August 1995, 20,000 WHICH? readers were asked about their use of complementary therapies and medicines. 8,745 replied. One in three people who responded to the questionnaire confirmed that they had used alternative/complementary medicines and over 75% said that they felt that their condition had improved as a direct result of the treatment they had been given and 83% stated that their general sense of well-being had improved. The vast majority of people who use complementary medicine are happy with it.
Which? November 1995
return to
top
The attitude of medical students to complementary medicine
According to a recent survey of 180 medical students published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine, over two thirds (69%) believed complementary therapies offered effective treatments; thirty one per cent of the students knew someone close to them who used complementary medicines and nearly one in five of the students (17%) had themselves visited a complementary practitioner.
All students agreed that they knew little about the alternative/complementary therapies although there was no consensus as to whether the subjects should be taught in medical schools. Interestingly, male students seemed to be more sceptical of complementary medicines than female students.
Furnham A, Hanna D, Vincent A. Medical students’ attitudes to complementary medical therapies. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 1995, 3 (4), 212-219.
return to
top
Referrals by GPs
A two year study conducted at the University of Sheffield and has revealed that forty per cent of GPs in the UK are now referring patients to complementary therapies.
However, less than two per cent of the referrals were made to complementary therapists, whilst the vast majority of treatments were carried out by the doctors themselves!
The main therapies used by the GP’s were homœopathy, osteopathy, chiropractic and acupuncture. Healing, reflexology and aromatherapy were also used but the numbers were statistically insignificant.
Reported in JACM December 1995 p.6.
return to
top
Sales of dietary supplements continue to rise!
A report from the market research company , MINTEL earlier this year revealed that between 1989 and 1993, sales of dietary supplements rose from £92 million in 1989 to £189 million in 1993. Sales of vitamins in the same period also rose but to a lesser degree, from £80 million in 1989 to £96 million in 1993.
return to
top
This page was last updated on 02 July 2005 00:00:00
Purple Health |
