Use and interest in complementary and alternative medicine among college students seeking healthcare at a university campus student health center.

BACKGROUND: There is growing data on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) preferences among college students. While several studies have focused on undergraduate students, there is limited data on graduate students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross sectional analysis of undergraduate and graduate students seeking medical care at the University of California Irvine's Student Health Center (SHC). The survey assessed previous CAM use and preferences for future CAM use and education. RESULTS: The majority (67.0%) had used CAM within the last year, 27.0% would use CAM for their current health condition, and 51.9% would consider CAM for their current health condition if they were more knowledgeable. Most respondents desired more CAM education and indicated that they would try CAM modalities if covered under insurance. CONCLUSION: Most college students requested more knowledge to assist in their decisions to use CAM. These findings provide insight for health centers on the preferences of college student patients.

Use of and interests in complementary and alternative medicine by Hispanic patients of a community health center.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among a medically underserved, predominately Hispanic community at the University of California Irvine Family Health Center, a federally qualified health center. METHODS: A cross-sectional, anonymous survey assessed patient use of, interest in, and communication preferences concerning CAM. RESULTS: The 150 respondents primarily self-identified as Hispanic (74%), were born outside the United States (55%), were medically insured (56%), and had a high school education or less (55%). Of these respondents, 63% used at least 1 type of CAM; the most commonly used were: vitamins/supplements (32%), herbal medicine (29%), dietary/nutritional therapy (26%), massage (24%), meditation/relaxation (15%) and chiropractic (11%). Therapies that patients most desired to see provided at the clinic included massage, healthier cooking, guidance on herbs/supplements, and diet/nutrition. Among respondents, 61% were comfortable disclosing CAM use to physicians, 58% agreed physicians should have basic knowledge of CAM, and 47% desired that physicians ask about CAM use. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrate that CAM use is common among patients, and a large proportion of patients have interest in accessing CAM through their primary care clinic. Patients recognize the importance of communicating CAM use with their providers and seem receptive to discussing such topics.

Longitudinal survey on integrative medicine education at an underserved health centre.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used by adults in the USA. However, most physicians do not inquire about CAM use leading to missed opportunities to dialogue about wellness and detect harmful practices. In 2012, an integrative medicine (IM) consultation clinic alongside an optional IM Residency Track for family medicine residents was established at the University of California, Irvine Family Health Center in Santa Ana, CA. This study evaluated the impact of these programmes on physicians' CAM/IM knowledge and receptiveness. Online surveys assessing self-reported attitudes, knowledge and practices were distributed in 2012 (baseline) and 2014 (follow-up) to family physicians with response rates of 83% (35/42) and 62% (23/37), respectively. At baseline, 91.5% of physicians believed that patient satisfaction would moderately/strongly increase if offered CAM/IM consultations and therapies. At follow- up, physician understanding of clinical applications of massage, acupuncture, meditation/relaxation, yoga and Tai Chi increased. Percentage of physician referrals to a CAM/IM consultation clinic increased (5.7- 69.6%; p < 0.01) as well as physician-initiated CAM/IM discussion (20.0-60.9%; p < 0.01). This study demonstrates the immediate effect of IM education in a primary care training site and the receptiveness of its community-based physicians towards these changes.