Alternative therapies in health and medicine
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Altern Ther Health Med · May 2013
Use of and attitude toward complementary and alternative medicine: understanding the role of generational influence.
The prevalence of the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing in developed countries, including the United States. Some patients use CAM without informing their physicians, subjecting themselves to potentially dangerous contraindications. Identifying patient populations that have an inclination to use CAM can help physicians provide patient-centered care, ensuring better health outcomes. ⋯ Attitudes toward CAM vary significantly by generational influence. Recent immigrants gradually assimilate and change their cultural beliefs about CAM use, and they had the highest use of and the most positive attitude toward CAM. Physicians may want to consider integrating CAM treatments for patients who have recently immigrated to the United States to enhance treatment compliance.