TY  - BOOK
AU  - de Guzman,Amalia E.
AU  - Fonollera,Marilou L.
AU  - Lazaro-Hipol,Cynthia
TI  - Knowledge, attitudes and practices of Filipino Family Physicians regarding alternative medicine
KW  - Complementary Therapies
KW  - Physicians, Family
KW  - Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
N2  - OBJECTIVES: 1. To determine the present knowledge of Filipino family physicians on the different alternative approaches, their usefulness and the scientific basis: 2. To determine the source of knowledge; 3. To determine the extent of acceptability of the bill creating the Traditional Health Care Authority; and 4. To determine the extent of practice of alternative medicine and referral to alternative practitioner

DESIGN: Descriptive study using a pretested self-administered questionnaire

SETTING: PAFP 8th National Midyear Convention held last September 12-14, 1996 in Iloilo City, Philippines

PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred fifty family physicians were given questionnaires. Among the respondents, only 160 physicians answered the questionnaire completely.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Reported beliefs and practices concerning alternative medicine

RESULTS: There were more female (61%) than male respondents (39%). Majority of the respondents belong to the 30-39 age group with the youngest at 27 and the oldest at 72. Herbal medicine, acupuncture, "hilot", faith healing and reflexology were the popular alternative approaches among family practitioners. Homeopathy and ventosa were considered least useful. Herbal medicine, acupuncture and reflexology were perceived to be the most useful among the alternative approaches. Ninety six percent of respondents considered herbal medicine as the most documented approach in terms of its scientific basis. Seventy four percent of the respondents were aware of the bill on traditional medicine but only 24% were in favor of passing it into law. Majority of the respondents do not practice alternative medicine and only a few refer their patients to alternative practitioners.

SUMMARY: Majority of the Filipino family physicians were aware of the different alternative approaches and the bill creating the Traditional and Alternative Health Care Authority. However, they still find the practice of alternative medicine and the bill unacceptable
ER  -