RESUMO
Aims and objectives: This survey aimed at assessing the perceptions of physicians regarding the appropriateness of prescribing herbal medicines [HM], their prescribing patterns and their knowledge regarding the interaction between HM and conventional drugs
Background: No data are currently available in Lebanon concerning the frequency of HM prescription and indications. HM poorly prescribed can affect the overall quality of health among patients taking conventional drugs
Methods: This descriptive survey study was con- ducted in the Greater Beirut area in Lebanon during May-June 2009. All Primary Health Care [PHC] physicians in private community-based solo practice were identified from the Lebanese Order of Physicians listing, contacted and invited to participate. Those who agreed had to complete a pre-piloted face-to-face questionnaire
Results: Of two hundred twelve participating physicians, 45% routinely prescribed HM to their patients. Between 64 to 67% prescribers believed that HM have more benefits, faster results and fewer side effects than conventional drugs. In addition, 58% thought that HM were less expensive, and 76% that they were easier to take than conventional drugs. More importantly, in a series of eight questions concerning the physicians' knowledge about the possible mechanism of drug-herb interactions, the general tendency was towards poor knowledge
Conclusions: A good percentage of PHC physicians who routinely prescribe HM do not know their mechanism of action or their possible interactions with the conventional drugs. Knowledge about mechanism of drug-herb interactions should be an integral part of the medical curriculum
Relevance to Clinical Practice: The knowledge about HM should be an integral part of the medical curriculum as they are frequently prescribed by PHC physicians
RESUMO
The objective of this study was to evaluate the financial characteristics and level of satisfaction of physicians practicing in Lebanon. We conducted an anonymous, interviewer- administered phone survey of physicians practicing medicine in Lebanon. We conducted both descriptive and regression analyses. Of 778 invited physicians, 546 participated in the survey [70% response rate]. Their mean age was 47.4 and they were predominantly male [85.9%] and married [87.0%]. Reported monthly income varied widely with 47.2% earning less than US[dollar sign] 2,000, 46.3% earning between [dollar sign] 2,000 and [dollar sign] 6,000 and 6.3% earning more than [dollar sign] 6,000. Only 14.2%, 4.1%, and 3.1% respectively reported having life insurance, disability insurance and a retirement plan. A quarter of participants reported being either somewhat unsatisfied [17.6%] or very unsatisfied [8.1%] with their medical career. A lower degree of satisfaction in professional career was independently associated with female physicians, graduation from a Western European medical school and a lower monthly income. As for the perception of own career's future, 36.7% thought there was no possibility of improvement. About half of physicians practicing in Lebanon report earning less than US[dollar sign] 2,000 per month and about a quarter are not satisfied with their professional career