Evaluation of attitude and use of complementary and alternative medicine in doctoral graduates of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Information about the use and attitude of medical students towards complementary medicine is needed to determine its place in conventional medicine. The aim of this study was to determine the attitude and use of complementary medicine in general and specialized doctoral graduates of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences.  Methods: I n this descriptive-analytical study, the attitudes of medical graduates were determined with a 23-item questionnaire and the use of 17 complementary medicine methods with a checklist, and the level of satisfaction at four levels. Quantitative variables were analyzed with ANOVA and qualitatively from Chi 2. Findings:  27.3 percent of the 276 graduates used at least one complementary medicine method in the past year. The most common method was massage therapy. More than thirty percent of users of massage, acupressure, mediation and energy therapy methods were satisfied. 29 percent of complementary medicine treatments considered the effect of placebo and 37.3 percent considered the safety of complementary medicine without evidence. 23.9 percent had a positive attitude towards complementary medicine and 8.4 percent had a negative attitude. The mean score of the attitude was 73 ± 9.2 (39-79). There was no difference between the attitudes of the four groups (P = 0.436). Conclusion: The positive attitude of physicians, pharmacists and dentists towards complementary medicine methods and their use is developing. In order to organize and regulate the evidence of complementary medicine methods, along with conventional medicine, it is necessary to include it in the curriculum and research of medical students.