Alternative Medicine Attitudes and Practices of U.S. College Students
This study determined attitudes and practices, including gender differences, of college students regarding advocacy and use of alternative medicine. A convenience sample of students enrolled in undergraduate health classes from universities in five separate regions of the United States was surveyed using a written questionnaire. A total of 561 undergraduate and graduate students volunteered for this study. Results of this survey indicated that the majority of college students favor the use of alternative medicine and the majority of users reported satisfaction with alternative medicine. Significant gender differences were uncovered regarding use of, and advocacy for, alternative medicine.
Interest in and use of alternative medicine has increased significantly in recent years (Eisenberg, 2001; Zolman & Vickers, 1999a). The characteristics of users of alternative medicine include above average education and affluence and below average health status and satisfaction with conventional (allopathic) medicine (Eisenberg, et al., 1998; Zolman & Vickers, 1999b). Users of alternative medicine are more likely than non-users to view conventional medicine as ineffective, expensive, and disease rather than health oriented (Astin, 1998; Ottolini, Hamburger, & Loprieto, 1999).
A number of recent studies have measured attitudes and practices of students related to alternative medicine. A majority of pharmacy students, in one study (Kreitzer, Mitten, Harris, & Shandeling, 2002), stated that the best of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices should be integrated into conventional medical care. Wilkinson and Simpson (2001) found that 78% of nursing, pharmacy, and biomedical science students had used complementary therapies during the preceding year and 56% had visited a complementary therapy practitioner. The most commonly used therapies included vitamins, minerals, and other supplements. Practitioners who dispensed such therapies were visited the most often, followed by chiropractors. The majority of these students felt that complementary therapies enhanced the quality of life. No significant gender differences were noted.
Mexican pharmacy no prescription
A recent study of third year medical students revealed that the majority believed that some CAM therapies were useful (Chez, Jonas, & Crawford, 2001). These students did not perceive CAM therapies as threats to public health. Most reported insufficient understanding of the safety of CAM therapies and suggested that they would not refer patients to, nor discourage patients from, these therapies. Significant gender differences were not observed. In another study, Baugneit, Boon, and Ostbye (2000) found that, compared to other students in the health professions, medical students in their final year reported the lowest level of knowledge about CAM therapies, and viewed these therapies as less useful than conventional medicine. Medical and pharmacy students were more likely than students from other health professions, to support the need for scientific evaluation before acceptance of CAM therapies.
The present study surveyed students enrolled in undergraduate health classes from a national, purposive sample of universities from five separate regions across the United States, to determine student attitudes and practices related to alternative medicine. In addition to attitudes and practices the study examined advocacy for alternative medicine, and gender differences related to alternative and conventional medicine.