Factors influencing communication of traditional Chinese medicine use between patients and doctors:A multisite cross-sectional study

作     者：Wen Qiang Lee Jeremy Teoh Pei Zheng Kenneth Lee Zhi Xiong Gerard Low Xueling Sim Foong Fong Mary Chong Norbert Ludwig Wagner 

作者机构：Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of Singapore117597Singapore Saw Swee Hock School of Public HealthNational University of Singapore117549Singapore 

出 版 物：《Journal of Integrative Medicine》 (结合医学学报（英文版）)

年 卷 期：2019年第17卷第6期

页      面：396-403页

核心收录：

学科分类：1002[医学-临床医学] 100214[医学-肿瘤学] 10[医学] 

主　　题：Traditional Chinese medicine Western medicine Patient-provider communication Primary care General practice Public health 

摘      要：Objective: In Singapore, the use of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) alongside Western medicine(WM)is common. There are risks of adverse herb-drug interactions when taken concurrently. Current literature suggests that TCM use is not regularly reported to WM doctors in Singapore, but the underlying reasons are not ***: A cross-sectional study was conducted across Singapore by administering questionnaires to TCM-using patients and WM-practising general practitioners(GPs). The questionnaire examined the following themes:(1) demographics and TCM use pattern;(2) respondents (patients and GPs) knowledge and beliefs about TCM and the factors influencing the discussion of TCM during the WM consultation;and(3) respondents qualitative suggestions to increase disclosure ***: A total of 484 patients and 334 GPs were surveyed. Factors associated with patients initiation of TCM discussion include length of consultation(odds ratio [OR]: 2.1;P 0.001), comfort level in discussing TCM(OR: 1.6;P 0.001) and belief in importance of discussion(OR: 1.4;P = 0.017). Doctor s initiation of discussion(74%) was the top patient-ranked factor influencing their discussion of TCM. For doctors,knowledge of TCM indications(OR: 2.2;P 0.001), belief in importance of discussion(OR: 2.1;P 0.001) and comfort level in discussing TCM(OR: 1.9;P = 0.001) were associated with their initiation of TCM use discussion. Possible WM-TCM interactions(58%) was the top doctor-ranked factor influencing their discussion of ***: The discussion of TCM in a WM setting is multifactorial. Interventions include doctors active screening for TCM use in patients and equipping doctors with TCM knowledge. Improving communication between patients and doctors is key to avoiding harmful herb-drug interactions.