Complementary medicine: dangerous communication breakdown, UK

Main Category: Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
Article Date: 09 Dec 2004 - 1:00 PDT


New research from DPP: Developing Patient Partnerships reveals that 71% of people would like to discuss complementary medicine with their GP or pharmacist but many may be reluctant to bring it up as 38% agree they feel that most GPs disapprove of it.

Only 52% of GPs routinely ask patients about their complementary medicine use. Nearly half (47%) of GPs do not believe that they should be the ones providing information and advice to patients, despite the fact that 70% say they have recommended complementary medicine to their patients.

'Talking about complementary medicine' is a new DPP campaign launched today (4.11.04) as part of Ask About Medicines Week, to provide more information about complementary medicine and encourage communication between health professionals and patients about complementary medicine use.

40% of people are unaware of the dangers of mixing natural remedies with other medicines and 66% of people are unclear about which complementary medicines are safe. This is echoed with 85% of GPs feeling they don't have enough knowledge and information on the safety and efficacy of complementary medicines and welcoming more guidance. The need for more reliable information about complementary medicine for both health professionals and patients is clear.

DPP Spokesman, Dr Terry John said: "Patients and health professionals are crying out for more information on complementary medicine (70% and 82% respectively). It is crucial that health professionals have information to hand when necessary, and likewise patients need the necessary information to make informed choices about their treatment.

"More and more people are using complementary medicine and our research found that 63% agree they should be able to see it available on the NHS. With increasing demand and availability of complementary medicine it is crucial that health professionals and patients start to talk about complementary medicine as part of a routine consultation."

Supporting the campaign Dr Michael Dixon, Chairman of NHS Alliance, said: "Patients should not be forced into an either/or situation. Orthodox medicine must accept that an increasing number of patients choose to use complementary therapies. That means doctors need to learn more about them, and discuss the benefits and disadvantages with their patients."

Michael Fox, Chief Executive of The Prince of Wales's Foundation for Integrated Health agreed, saying: "Complementary and conventional medicine can work safely alongside each other as long as there is effective communication between all practitioners as well as between patients and practitioners. For patients to receive the best treatment it is essential to make sure that complementary practitioners are aware of any conventional treatment they are having and that other health professionals are aware of any concurrent complementary treatments.

"The Prince of Wales's Foundation for Integrated Health is very supportive of this initiative to improve communication about complementary medicine."

ENDS

Notes to editors

NOP World surveyed 982 adults, aged 15+, between 1-3 October 2004, using a nationally representative telephone omnibus survey. Data was weighted to bring it in line with national profiles. NOP World Health's 'GP Net' Service conducted an online survey of 100 NHS GPs during October 2004.

Additional statistics:

-- Nearly a quarter of people (24%) agree they would be reluctant to tell their GP about any complementary medicine they are using.

-- 29% of people agree they would stop taking prescription medicine or over-the-counter medicine if they were going to use complementary medicine.

-- Only 3% of people realise that chiropractic is regulated by law.

-- Only 3% of people realise that osteopathy is regulated by law.

-- 8% of people wrongly think acupuncture is regulated by law.

-- DPP: Developing Patient Partnerships (formerly Doctor Patient Partnership) is a health education charity working with primary care organisations and the public to make the most of health services and help people manage their health by improving health knowledge and communication.

-- The DPP 'Talking about complementary medicine' campaign includes a guide for health professionals plus a patient booklet 'Making complementary medicine work for you' which can be obtained through DPP member primary care organisations. For more information about membership opportunities call the Membership Team on 020 7383 6824 or 020 7383 6715. http://www.dpp.org.uk.

-- Ask About Medicines Week is taking place from 1-6 November - for more information go to http://www.askaboutmedicines.org .

-- Some of the information in the campaign guides is based on The Prince of Wales's Foundation for Integrated Health's 'Complementary healthcare: a guide for patients' to be published in early December 2004. The guide will offer in-depth information about complementary therapies as well as information about regulation and communication. For more information visit www.fihealth.org.uk

Contact DPP: Developing Patient Partnerships; Pam Prentice 020 7383 6144, pprentice@bma.org.uk or Marianne McGlynn 020 7383 6828 mmcglynn@bma.org.uk

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