Attitudes and use of complementary and alternative medicine by California family physicians

Abstract

This paper examines the attitudes and use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by family physicians. A questionnaire was completed by 234 participants at the 1998 California Academy of Family Physicians Annual Scientific Assembly to analyze the recommendation, administration, and attitudes towards CAM by family physicians. This study indicates a large percent of California family physicians recommend and administer CAM to their patients. In addition, the results illustrate the importance of incorporating knowledge of CAM into medical education and the essential role family physicians play in the integration of conventional and CAM therapies.