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Patterns of complementary and alternative medicine use among a group of patients with type 2 diabetes receiving outpatient care in S ingapore
Author(s) -
Fan Peijin Esther Monica,
Chan Moon Fai,
Chan Yoke Ling,
Koh Siew Lin Serena
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
international journal of nursing practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.62
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1440-172X
pISSN - 1322-7114
DOI - 10.1111/ijn.12173
Subject(s) - medicine , massage , family medicine , diabetes mellitus , type 2 diabetes , alternative medicine , health professionals , health care , outpatient clinic , cross sectional study , traditional medicine , pathology , endocrinology , economic growth , economics
This study aims to identify patterns and evaluate factors associated with complementary and alternative medicine ( CAM ) use among type 2 diabetes patients in S ingapore. A cross‐sectional descriptive study using a self‐administered questionnaire was performed among type 2 diabetes patients at an outpatient diabetes centre, and participants' medical records were accessed for diabetes complications and conventional medicine for managing diabetes. Among 304 participants, 43.4% used CAM and 61.2% did not inform health‐care professionals of their CAM use. Three most common CAM were nutritional supplements, C hinese herbal medicine and massage. Friends (44.2%), partner and family (38%) were top sources of information for CAM , whereas factors significantly associated with CAM use were gender ( P = 0.049), total monthly household income ( P = 0.048) and frequency of self‐monitoring of blood glucose ( P = 0.036). Results highlight a need for improved health‐care professionals–patients communication and for health‐care professionals to be educated on CAM to provide relevant education to patients.