Teaching patients how to talk with biomedical providers about their complementary and alternative medicine use Journal Article


Authors: Ho, E. Y.; D'Agostino, T. A.; Yadegar, V.; Burke, A.; Bylund, C. L.
Article Title: Teaching patients how to talk with biomedical providers about their complementary and alternative medicine use
Abstract: Objective: The goal was to examine the feasibility and impact of a face-to-face communication skills training intervention based on a current public health campaign to encourage patients to talk about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with their biomedical health providers. Methods: Current CAM users were invited to complete a survey about current/past CAM use and communication with biomedical providers before beginning a communication skills training workshop. In the 6-month period following the training, participants were asked to record information on any CAM conversations with those providers. Results: Of the 38 participants who received training, 32 finished the entire study. Over half of those participants reported discussing CAM in post-training visits with biomedical providers. Participants initiated the conversation in most cases, and were more likely to disclose CAM use than they were to ask questions about CAM. Participants who talked about CAM were significantly more likely to perceive CAM as relevant to their visit, compared with individuals who did not talk about CAM. Conclusions: Participants positively evaluated this patient communication workshop. Consistent with previous research, most CAM conversations were patient-initiated. Practice implications: These findings reinforce the importance of patient education interventions for improving patient-provider communication in general, and CAM communication specifically. © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
Keywords: patient education; alternative medicine; health communication; complementary medicine; disclosure; allopathic medicine
Journal Title: Patient Education and Counseling
Volume: 89
Issue: 3
ISSN: 0738-3991
Publisher: Elsevier Ireland Ltd.  
Date Published: 2012-12-01
Start Page: 405
End Page: 410
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2012.03.009
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 22503146
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 1" - "Export Date: 2 January 2013" - "CODEN: PEDCD" - "Source: Scopus"
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