A gap between acceptance and knowledge of herbal remedies by physicians: the need for educational intervention

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The unprecedented global increase in the use of herbal remedies is set to continue apace well into the foreseeable future. This raises important public health concerns, especially as it relates to safety issues including adverse effects and herb-drug interactions. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was done using an interviewer-administered pilot tested de novo questionnaire at six public hospitals in Trinidad between May–July 2004. The questionnaire utilized weighed questions to quantify acceptance (maximum score = 14 points) and knowledge (maximum score = 52 points). Acceptance and knowledge scores were analyzed using the ANOVA and Tukey's tests. RESULTS: Of 192 physicians interviewed, most (60.4 per cent) believed that herbal remedies were beneficial to health. Respondents had relatively high acceptance levels (mean = 5.69 ñ 0.29 points or 40 per cent of total possible score) and poor knowledge (mean = 7.77 ñ 0.56 points or 15 per cent of total possible score). Seventy-eight physicians (40.6 per cent) admitted having used herbs in the past, and 60 of these (76.9 per cent) were satisfied with the outcome. Although 52 physicians (27.1 per cent) recommended the use of herbs to their patients only 29 (15.1 per cent) were able to identify at least one known herb-drug interaction. CONCLUSION: Surprisingly, we demonstrated relatively high acceptance levels and use of herbs among physicians in Trinidad. This interesting scenario of high acceptance levels and poor knowledge creates a situation that demands urgent intervention. The integration of herbal medicine into the curriculum of medical schools, continuing education programs and the availability of reputable pharmacopoeias for referencing at public health institutions are useful instruments that can be used to close this gap and promote improved physician-patient communication.