Table 2.
Oncologists' Communication and Practice Patterns With Patients Regarding Herbs and Supplements (N = 392)
| Pattern | No. | % |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | ||
| Please estimate the percentage of your patients that currently use herbs and/or supplements (not including standard doses of vitamins and minerals such as those in a multivitamin)? | ||
| Mean | 34 | |
| SD | 18.1 | |
| In the past 12 mo, with approximately what percentage of your patients have you discussed the topic of herbs or supplements? | ||
| Mean | 41 | |
| SD | 26.7 | |
| Please estimate what percentage of these discussions about herbs or supplements were initiated by you.* | ||
| Mean | 26 | |
| SD | 27.9 | |
| Overall, do you think talking about the use of herbs and supplements has strengthened or weakened your relationship with patients?* | ||
| Strengthens | 152 | 40.4 |
| Weakens | 12 | 3.2 |
| Neutral/no effect | 204 | 54.3 |
| Other | 6 | 1.6 |
| Practice | ||
| In the past 12 mo, have you ever administered chemotherapy to a patient who you knew was also taking an herb and/or supplement? | 335 | 85.5 |
| If yes, approximately how many patients? | ||
| Mean | 19 | |
| SD | 15.6 | |
| Please indicate whether you have ever recommended to patients the following CAM therapies? | ||
| Alternative medical systems | 62 | 15.8 |
| Mind-body therapies | 247 | 63.0 |
| Body manipulation | 174 | 44.4 |
| Energy therapies | 58 | 14.8 |
| Acupuncture | 158 | 40.3 |
| Other CAM therapy | 34 | 8.7 |
Abbreviations: CAM, complementary and alternative medicine; SD, standard deviation.
*
Sample included oncologists who have discussed herbs and supplements with patients (n = 376).