Posttraining Knowledge Retention among Licensed Cupping Providers in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: One of the licensing requirements for cupping providers in Saudi Arabia is to attend a compulsory training course that lasts 5 days for non-physicians and 4 days for physicians, irrespective of any previous experience in cupping therapy. The course is conducted by the National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM/MOH). As a part of course auditing, the current study aimed to evaluate knowledge retention among licensed cupping providers 1-3 years after passing the official cupping course. METHODS: Licensed cupping providers were invited to attend a continuing medical education activity. Sixty-two attended the continuing medical education activity. Before the event, participants were asked to answer 35 multiple-choice questions taken from the same data bank as the pretest and posttest of the course. The test scores were linked and compared with the pre- and posttest of the training course. RESULTS: A paired t test showed significant differences between the pre- and posttest knowledge scores (mean difference: 224.6 ± 86, p = 0.0001) and between the posttest and follow-up knowledge scores (mean difference: -115.26 ± 103.9, p = 0.0001). The follow-up score was still significantly higher than the pretest score, with a mean difference of 112 (95% CI: 83.66-140.34, p = 0.0001). There was no significant effect of category (physician vs. non-physician) on knowledge retention after controlling for the postcourse score. Gender, the total duration of experience, and total years of experience in cupping did not affect knowledge score retention between the physicians and the non-physicians. CONCLUSION: The official cupping training course of the NCCAM/MOH achieved reasonable knowledge retention. To achieve long-term knowledge retention, refresher training/courses and continuous professional development will be required.

Knowledge and attitude of health professionals in the Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia, toward complementary and alternative medicine.

BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a popular treatment option for many populations. The present work is aimed at studying the knowledge and attitude of health professionals in the Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia, toward CAM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional survey, a multistage random sample was taken from health professionals working in hospitals in Riyadh city and surrounding governorates. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire, from 306 health professionals working in 19 hospitals, on socio-demographic data, knowledge about CAM and their sources, and attitudes toward CAM practices. RESULTS: Of the participants, 88.9% had some knowledge about CAM. Respondents with a doctorate degree (94.74%) and 92.53% of those with a bachelor's degree had significantly higher knowledge of CAM than subjects with a diploma, a fellowship, or a master's degree (68.75%, 76.67%, and 85.41%, respectively, P = 0.004). Mass media represented 60.1% of sources of the knowledge of CAM followed by family, relatives, and friends (29.08%) and health educational organizations (14.71%). Participants estimated that prophetic medicine including prayer, honey and bee products, medical herbs, Hijama, nutrition and nutritional supplements, cauterization, and camel milk and urine were the most commonly used CAM practices (90.5%, 85%, 76.9%, 70.6%, 61.4%, 55.9%, and 52.5%, respectively) in addition to medical massage (61.8%) and acupuncture (55%). One hundred and fifteen (80%) physicians were ready to talk with their patients on CAM. CONCLUSION: The willingness to improve knowledge and create a positive attitude in health professionals toward CAM has increased. Religious practices, especially those related to prophetic medicine, are more common in the region. Health educational organizations have to play a greater role by being the source of evidence-based knowledge of CAM. Talking on CAM with patients should be improved by rooting them on evidence-based practices.