Physician Attitudes and Perceptions of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM): A Multicentre Italian Study

Purpose: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) interventions are widely usedby patients with chronic disorders, including cancer, and may interact with cancertreatment. Physicians are often unaware of this, probably due to poor patient-physiciancommunication on CAM. The purpose of this study was to evaluate physicians’knowledge, attitudes and practice patterns regarding CAM in a survey conducted in Italy.Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 438 physicians (11 Italian hospitals) whopredominantly treat patients with chronic disease, to collect personal and professionaldata and information on attitudes toward CAM and its possible role in ConventionalMedicine (CM).Results: Of the 438 participants, most were specialists in oncology (18%),internal medicine (17%), surgery (15%), and radiotherapy (11%). Most workedat university (44%) or research hospitals (31%). Forty-two percent of participantsbelieved that CAM could have an integrative role within CM. Oncologists werethe physicians who were best informed on CAM (58%). Physicians workingat research institutes or university hospitals had a greater knowledge of CAM than those employed at general hospitals (p < 0.0001), and those who were alsoinvolved in research activity had a greater knowledge of CAM than those who were not(p < 0.003). Length of work experience was significantly related to CAM knowledge.Moreover, 55% of participants suggest CAM interventions to their patients and 44%discuss CAM with them. The best-known interventions were acupuncture, Aloe vera andhigh-dose vitamin C.Conclusion: CAM use by patients with chronic disease and/or cancer has become atopical issue for the scientific community and for physicians. Knowing the reasons thatprompt these patients to use CAM and guiding them in their decisions would improvetreatment and outcomes and also benefit healthcare systems. Our findings contributeto a greater understanding of CAM knowledge, attitudes, and practice among Italianphysicians. Further research is needed to identify the more effective CAM treatmentsand to work toward an integrated healthcare model.