Scholarship concerning complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices within the United States could benefit from incorporating sociological perspectives into the development of a comprehensive research agenda. We review the literature on health and wellness emphasizing definitions and distinctions, the health lifestyles literature emphasizing issues of both life choices and life chance...

OBJECTIVES To determine pharmacy faculty members' and students' attitudes and perceptions regarding the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). METHODS A survey was used to obtain data on the following information concerning CAM: general attitudes, perceived barriers to use, training received and desired, personal use, and information sources used. RESULTS In general, attitudes...

OBJECTIVE To determine general attitudes and approaches to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among physicians who care for gynecologic oncology patients. METHODS Surveys were mailed to members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists and the Michigan Oncology Group. Physicians were asked to rate their general attitude toward CAM. RESULTS Surveys were obtained from 462 physicians...

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is popular in Australia, with CAM practitioners making up the third largest group of health professionals nationwide. Practice characteristics, education, and regulatory requirements differ widely, and this article provides a snapshot of the contemporary Australian CAM workforce.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The wide array of treatments and modalities comprising complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) represent a growing option for many individuals. Seeking to better understand this, much research has centered on identifying sociodemographic (e.g., age, gender, race) or social-psychologic (e.g., absorption, depression, coping) correlates of using CAM therapies. In con...

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence and utilization pattern of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) administered by oneself or by non-institutional practitioners in a general population in South Korea. METHODS Nationwide, face-to-face surveys were conducted from September 1, 2011 to October 5, 2011. We conveniently selected the participants by using a...

In patient-centered approaches the best of conventional medicine is used with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to combine the best of both for patient benefit. CAM methods, used in this way, are becoming more commonplace in headache management. CAM may be indicated if you simply prefer it, have low tolerance of or poor response to conventional drugs, or have a medical contraindicati...

BACKGROUND This study explored the psychological and behavioral mechanisms of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in Japanese cancer patients using two applied behavioral models, the transtheoretical model (TTM), and theory of planned behavior (TPB). PATIENTS AND METHODS Questionnaires were distributed to 1100 patients at three cancer treatment facilities in Japan and data on 521...

Much effort has focused on examining the inhibitory effect of Salvadora persica (miswak) on oral microorganisms, but information concerning its antibacterial activity against other human pathogens, particularly multidrug resistant (MDR) isolates, is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the in vitro antibacterial activities of Salvadora persica L. extracts against 10 MDR bacterial clini...

This research investigated complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by Hawai'i cancer patients. Thirty-six percent of patients used CAM, most commonly religious/spiritual therapy and herbal treatments. CAM use was linked with younger age, female gender, Catholic religion, and more education. More research is needed to inform decision-making.