Disclosure of conventional and complementary medicine use to medical doctors and complementary medicine practitioners: A survey of rates and reasons amongst those with chronic conditions

Chronic conditions are prolonged and complex, leading patients to seek multiple forms of care alongside conventional treatment, including complementary medicine (CM). These multiple forms of care are often used concomitantly, requiring patient-provider communication about treatments used in order to manage potential risks. In response, this study describes rates and reasons for disclosure/non-disclosure of conventional medicine use to CM practitioners, and CM use to medical doctors, by individuals with chronic conditions. A survey was conducted online in July and August 2017 amongst the Australian adult population. Participants with chronic conditions were asked about their disclosure-related communication with CM practitioners (massage therapist, chiropractor, acupuncturist, naturopath) and medical doctors. Patients consulting different professions reported varying disclosure rates and reasons. Full disclosure (disclosed ALL) to medical doctors was higher (62.7%-79.5%) than full disclosure to CM practitioners (41.2%-56.9%). The most strongly reported reason for disclosing to both MDs and CM practitioners was I wanted them to fully understand my health status, while for non-disclosure it was They did not ask me about my CM/medicine use. Reasons regarding concerns or expectations around the consultation or patient-provider relationship were also influential. The findings suggest that patient disclosure of treatment use in clinical consultation for chronic conditions may be improved through patient education about its importance, direct provider inquiry, and supportive patient-provider partnerships. Provision of optimal patient care for those with chronic conditions requires greater attention to patient-provider communication surrounding patients’ wider care and treatment use.

[1]  Jon Adams,et al.  Development and preliminary evaluation of the Conventional Medicine Disclosure Index. , 2021, Research in social & administrative pharmacy : RSAP.

[2]  Jon Adams,et al.  Development and preliminarily validation of the Complementary Medicine Disclosure Index. , 2020, Patient education and counseling.

[3]  J. Wardle,et al.  Disclosure of complementary medicine use to medical providers: a systematic review and meta-analysis , 2019, Scientific Reports.

[4]  Jon Adams,et al.  Complementary medicine use in the Australian population: Results of a nationally-representative cross-sectional survey , 2018, Scientific Reports.

[5]  J. Wardle,et al.  Collaborating with medicine? Perceptions of Australian naturopaths on integrating within the conventional medical system , 2017, Journal of interprofessional care.

[6]  A. Steel,et al.  Patient perceptions of clinical care in complementary medicine: A systematic review of the consultation experience. , 2017, Patient education and counseling.

[7]  E. R. van den Heuvel,et al.  Functional disability and social participation restriction associated with chronic conditions in middle-aged and older adults , 2016, Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.

[8]  J. Wardle,et al.  Complementary medicine and childhood immunisation: A critical review. , 2016, Vaccine.

[9]  Jon Adams,et al.  Complementary medicine use by the Australian population: a critical mixed studies systematic review of utilisation, perceptions and factors associated with use , 2016, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

[10]  V. Lin,et al.  Interface, interaction and integration: how people with chronic disease in Australia manage CAM and conventional medical services , 2015, Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy.

[11]  Jianpin Liu,et al.  Reducing the risk of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM): Challenges and priorities , 2014 .

[12]  E. Ben-Arye,et al.  Asking patients the right questions about herbal and dietary supplements: Cross cultural perspectives. , 2014, Complementary therapies in medicine.

[13]  Jon Adams,et al.  Referrals to chiropractors and osteopaths: a survey of general practitioners in rural and regional New South Wales, Australia , 2013, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

[14]  J. Boullata,et al.  Drug-nutrient interactions: a broad view with implications for practice. , 2012, Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

[15]  S. Grace,et al.  Integrative medicine: enhancing quality in primary health care. , 2010, Journal of alternative and complementary medicine.

[16]  M. Levine,et al.  Self-reported use of natural health products: a cross-sectional telephone survey in older Ontarians. , 2009, The American journal of geriatric pharmacotherapy.

[17]  G. Rowles,et al.  Patient-provider communication: understanding diabetes management among adult females. , 2009, Patient education and counseling.

[18]  G. Lewith,et al.  Treat or treatment: a qualitative study analyzing patients' use of complementary and alternative medicine. , 2008, American journal of public health.

[19]  C. Chesla,et al.  Living with chronic illness: A phenomenological study of the health effects of the patient–provider relationship , 2008, Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

[20]  J. Tilburt,et al.  Responding to Medical Pluralism in Practice: A Principled Ethical Approach , 2007, The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.

[21]  R. Deyo,et al.  A survey of training and practice patterns of massage therapists in two US states , 2005, BMC complementary and alternative medicine.

[22]  K. Wilson,et al.  Disclosure of natural product use to primary care physicians: a cross-sectional survey of naturopathic clinic attendees. , 2005, Mayo Clinic proceedings.

[23]  Joe E. Wheaton,et al.  Online Data Collection: Strategies for Research. , 2004 .

[24]  Bharathi Koganti,et al.  HERB-DRUG INTERACTIONS: AN OVERVIEW OF MECHANISMS AND CLINICAL ASPECTS , 2016 .

[25]  Glenn M. Hymel,et al.  Creating integrative work: a qualitative study of how massage therapists work with existing clients. , 2015, Journal of bodywork and movement therapies.

[26]  M. Batavia Contraindications for therapeutic massage: Do sources agree? , 2004 .