ABSTRACT
Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is highly gaining popularity along with main treatment streams these days. Physicians cannot ignore this fact and should question and counsel patients about pros and cons of CAM for cure of different ailments. Aim and Objectives: The objective of the study was to know about use of CAM among patients visiting Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) outpatient department (OPD) in tertiary care hospital of Southern Rajasthan. Materials and Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in ENT OPD for 2 months. Two hundred and fifty patients were considered for the study. Semi-structured questionnaire was prepared and made to be filled by the patients during their visit to ENT OPD after taking informed consent. Various questions were asked like extent of use of alternative therapies, type of CAM used by the patients, patient’s knowledge about ADRs and drug interactions, reasons for which alternative medicine might have been used. Results: Among 250 patients, CAMs were used by 36 patients. The most common CAMs were either Ayurveda or Homoeopathy medicines or both. The majority of patients obtained their information from family and friends. Maximum patients used these alternative medicines for relief of cough and hoarseness of voice. Conclusion: The study throws light on use of alternative drug therapy and streams of medicine along with routine hospital treatment among patients visiting ENT OPD. This knowledge helps to understand about patients’ alternative approach to diseases, about self-medication, patient’s belief about different types of therapies and also ignorance of possible health hazards, side effects, and complications due to use of concomitant main and alternative medicines for treatment purposes.
ABSTRACT
Em 2006, o Ministério da Saúde criou a Política Nacional de Terapias Integrativas e Complementares no SUS. O objetivo do estudo foi investigar o conhecimento e a aceitação das terapias integrativas e complementares e atenção farmacêutica por parte dos usuários do SUS. O estudo foi realizado na farmácia da Unidade Básica de Saúde da cidade de São João da Mata, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Um estudo transversal descritivo qualitativo e quantitativo foi realizado com três médicos e 35 usuários do serviço. Destes, 100 por cento não conheciam as terapias integrativas e complementares. Após explicação clara e simples pelo pesquisador, 31,42 por cento disseram que aceitariam o uso de fitoterapia, 51,42 por cento aceitariam a acupuntura, 37,14 por cento aceitariam a homeopatia e nenhum utilizaria a crenoterapia. Quando questionados sobre a atenção farmacêutica, 45,71 por cento disseram já ter ouvido falar neste assunto, 22,85 por cento sabem do que se trata e 31,42 por cento nunca tinham ouvido falar em atenção farmacêutica. Quando os três médicos que atendem na unidade de saúde foram questionados, observou-se indiferença, não-aceitação e aceitação, respectivamente. Em conclusão, este estudo demonstrou que a grande maioria dos pesquisados aceitaria as terapias integrativas e complementares se estas fossem oferecidas pela unidade de saúde. Além disso, os usuários acham importante uma maior atuação do farmacêutico. É necessária a implantação de programas de divulgação para os pacientes e principalmente para os médicos prescritores de práticas integrativas e complementares.
In 2006, the Ministry of Health created the National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Therapies in the Unified Health System. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and acceptance of complementary and integrative therapies and pharmaceutical care by SUS users. The study was conducted in the pharmacy of a primary healthcare unit in São João da Mata city , Minas Gerais state, Brazil. A cross sectional study was performed qualitatively and quantitatively with three doctors and 35 service users. Of these, 100 percent did not know the complementary and integrative therapies. After clear and simple explanation by the researcher, 31.42 percent said they would accept the use of herbal medicine, 51.42 percent accepted acupuncture, 37.14 percent would use homeopathy and none would use crenotherapy. When asked about the pharmaceutical care, 45.71 percent said they had heard of this matter, 22.85 percent know what it is and 31.42 percent had never heard of it. When the three doctors who at the clinic were questioned, there was indifference, non-acceptance and acceptance, respectively. In conclusion, this study showed that the vast majority of respondents would accept the complementary and integrative therapies if they were offered by the health unit. In addition, users find important a greater role of the pharmacist. One need to implement outreach programs for patients and especially for prescribers of complementary and integrative practices.