Personal and professional beliefs and practices regarding herbal medicine among the full time faculty of the newark-based schools of the university of medicine and dentistry of new jersey

doi:10.1016/S1096-2190(00)00012-3

Integrative Medicine

Volume 2, Issues 2–3, Spring 2000, Pages 57-64

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1096-2190(00)00012-3 Get rights and content

Abstract

Background: The use of alternative and herbal medicine is increasing among the general population in the United States. The use of herbal medicine by health care professionals has not been documented. Health care professionals tend to base personal and professional practices on scientific research and facts. This population interacts with the public and with health care students. Therefore, personal and professional practices will impact these audiences. Methods: A survey was distributed to all faculty members of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey via interoffice mail. A total of 904 surveys were sent. Statistical analyses included descriptive analysis of personal and professional practice regarding herbal medicine and χ² analysis of the relationship between personal and professional practices regarding herbal medicine. Significance was set at alpha <.05. Results: The overall response rate was 51%. Approximately one-third (29.6%, n = 134) of the population reported personal use of herbal medicine, 22.1% (n = 42) of the population who provide patient care recommend herbal medicine, 9.4% (n = 36) of those involved in teaching include herbal medicine in coursework, and 1.1% of the population were involved in research on herbs. Respondents who use herbal medicine were more likely to recommend herbs to patients (p < .0001); likewise, users of herbal medicine were more likely to teach students about herbal medicine (p = .001). Conclusions: The results support the hypothesis that personal beliefs and practices do impact professional practices within the clinical and academic settings of the university.

Section snippets

Methods

A survey was mailed to all full-time UMDNJ faculty members in Newark, NJ (904) in June 1998. Distribution included the Schools of Health Related Professions, Nursing, Medicine, and Dentistry of UMDNJ. The School of Health Related Professions includes many allied health disciplines, such as dietitians, certified nurse midwives, physician assistants, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, and clinical laboratory scientists. The survey addressed personal beliefs and practices and

Results

Of the 904 surveys distributed, 463 (51.2%) were returned, and 451 (49.8%) surveys were complete and usable for analysis. Table 1 outlines the response rate by school.

Discussion

In this study, 29.6% of the respondents reported use of herbal medicine, more than twice the number of herbal medicine users in the general population as reported by Eisenberg et al., who reported that 12.1% of the study population was using herbal medicine [9]. However, the results of this study are comparable to those of Johnston, who demonstrated that one-third of Americans in the general population were using herbal medicine [2].

Conclusions and implications for the future

Physicians and health care professionals tend to be more demanding than the general population of scientific research regarding the safety, efficacy, and potential misuse of herbal products [18]. Further research is needed to determine actions, potential adverse effects, and recommendations for use of herbs. Continuing professional education (academic courses or continuing education) is needed so that health care professionals can develop an understanding of herbal medicine. The use of

Acknowledgements

The work detailed in this article was done at the Department of Primary Care, School of Health Related Professions, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey.

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Original researchPersonal and professional beliefs and practices regarding herbal medicine among the full time faculty of the newark-based schools of the university of medicine and dentistry of new jersey

Abstract

Section snippets

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusions and implications for the future

Acknowledgements

J R Soc Med.

Am J Clin Nutr

Herbal and related remedies

Nutrition Care in Practice

One-third of nation's adults use herbal remedies

HerbalGram

Courses involving complementary and alternative medicine at US medical schools

JAMA

Alternative medicine instruction in medicine schools and family practice residency programs

Fam Med

The physician and unconventional medicine

Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine

Alterations are ahead at the OAM

JAMA

Original research
Personal and professional beliefs and practices regarding herbal medicine among the full time faculty of the newark-based schools of the university of medicine and dentistry of new jersey