Use, understanding, and beliefs about complementary and alternative medicines among emergency department patients

Objectives: To describe the extent of complementary and alternative medicin e (CAM) use among emergency department (ED) patients, to evaluate patients' understanding of CAMs, and to determine gender differences in beliefs abou t CAMs. Methods: This study was a convenience sampling of patients seen in an urban ED. Patient demographics were recorded. A questionnaire was admini stered that assessed patients' knowledge and use of CAMs. Patients were als o asked about their beliefs on safety, medication interactions, and conveyi ng information about these substances to their physicians. Results: A total of 350 ED patients were included in the study; 87% had heard of at least o ne of the CAMs. There was no difference between genders or races concerning knowledge about CAMs. The most commonly known CAMs were ginseng (75%), gin kgo biloba (55%), eucalyptus (58%), and St. John's wort (57%). Forty-three percent of the responders had used CAMs at some time and 24% were presently using CAMs. The most commonly used CAMs were ginseng (13%), St. John's wor t (6%), and ginkgo biloba (9%). All CAMs were considered to be safe by 16% of the patients. Only 67% would tell their doctors they were using CAMs. Fe males were more likely than males to believe that CAMs do not interact with other medications (15% vs 7%, difference 8%, 95% CI = 2% to 15%). Conclusi ons: Complementary and alternative medicines are familiar to most patients and used by many of them. Despite this, a large percentage of patients woul d not tell their physicians about their use of alternative medications. Eme rgency medicine providers should be aware of the commonly used CAMs, and qu estions about their use should be routinely included in ED exams.