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Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients attending a head and neck oncology clinic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 March 2008

M Shakeel ,
J R Newton ,
J Bruce  and
K W Ah-See
M Shakeel
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Scotland, UK
J R Newton*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Scotland, UK
J Bruce
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Scotland, UK
K W Ah-See
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Scotland, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr J R Newton, Department of Otolaryngology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN, Scotland, UK. E-mail: Jnewton59@hotmail.com
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Abstract

Introduction:

Within the United Kingdom, there are 50 000 practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine, with five million people consulting these practitioners yearly. The aim of this study was to explore the use of such therapies by patients attending a head and neck oncology clinic in Aberdeen.

Method:

Questionnaires were distributed to 200 patients over an eight-week period. The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding: demographic factors; 48 listed herbal preparations and alternative therapies; reasons for their use; and opinions on their efficacy.

Results:

One hundred and thirty-eight patients completed the questionnaires. Fifty per cent (69/138) of respondents had used complementary and alternative medicine previously, with 26 per cent having used it in the preceding year. Fifty-five per cent of respondents learned about complementary and alternative medicine use from friends, and the majority obtained such medicines by purchasing from a shop. Fifty per cent (34/69) of respondents stated that their family physician was unaware of their use of complementary and alternative medicine.

Conclusion:

All medical practitioners should be aware of increasing complementary and alternative medicine usage by the United Kingdom population, and should be able to counsel patients appropriately.

Keywords

Head and NeckCancerAlternative MedicineComplementary Medicine
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 122 , Issue 12 , December 2008 , pp. 1360 - 1364
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2008

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Footnotes

Presented at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh Audit Symposium, 16 March 2007, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.

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