Table 4. Multivariable analysis of communication and practice patterns regarding CAM (n = 6,007).
| Variable | Initiate discussion about CAM use | Encourage CAM use for treatment | Support patients’ use of CAM when no standard treatment options | Believe CAM treatment is effective for symptoms and treatment of cancer | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OR | 95% CI | OR | 95% CI | OR | 95% CI | OR | 95% CI | |
| Age (≥ 33 vs < 33 years) | 1.45 | 1.25–1.69 | 1.62 | 1.38–1.91 | 1.69 | 1.44–1.98 | 1.25 | 1.04–1.40 |
| Sex (female vs male) | 1.17 | 1.03–1.34 | 1.08 | 0.94–1.25 | 1.03 | 0.90–1.19 | 1.03 | 0.90–1.18 |
| Region | ||||||||
| Provincial capitals vs urban metropolises | 0.74 | 0.61–0.90 | 0.96 | 0.80–1.15 | 0.81 | 0.68–0.97 | ||
| Other cities vs urban metropolises | 0.80 | 0.70–0.92 | 0.99 | 0.86–1.13 | 0.95 | 0.83–1.08 | ||
| Practice setting | ||||||||
| General hospital vs academic hospital | 0.86 | 0.68–1.10 | 0.41 | 0.32–0.52 | 0.70 | 0.54–0.92 | 0.59 | 0.47–0.75 |
| Other hospital vs academic hospital | 0.92 | 0.72–1.16 | 0.59 | 0.47–0.74 | 0.86 | 0.67–1.12 | 0.69 | 0.55–0.86 |
| Working duration (≥ 6 vs < 6 years) | 0.96 | 0.82–1.12 | 1.06 | 0.90–1.25 | 1.25 | 1.06–1.47 | 1.17 | 1.00–1.37 |
| Type of medical license (traditional Chinese medicine vs clinical medicine) | 2.42 | 1.90–3.10 | 5.00 | 4.09–6.12 | 2.60 | 1.95–3.35 | 2.17 | 1.77–2.66 |
| Have adequate knowledge to answer questions about CAM (no vs yes)* | 0.48 | 0.39–0.60 | 0.38 | 0.31–0.45 | 0.42 | 0.33–0.54 | 0.30 | 0.25-0.36 |
| Receive professional education (no vs yes)* | 0.37 | 0.30–0.44 | 0.32 | 0.26–0.38 | 0.52 | 0.43–0.64 | 0.25 | 0.21-0.29 |
CAM: complementary and alternative medicine; OR: odds ratio.
*From Likert-scale type of statements: response of strongly agree or agree meant yes, response of undecided, disagree or strongly disagree meant no.