Use of complementary and alternative medicine at Norwegian and Danish hospitals

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Research Article

Søren la Cour¹  Lasse Skovgaard²  Lisbeth Nyborg³  Laila Launsø³  Vinjar Fønnebø³  Laila J Salomonsen³ 

[1] Interdisciplinary CAM-Research at the University of Copenhagen, KUFAB Institute of sociology, Øster Farimagsgade 5, DK - 1014, København K, Denmark;Interdisciplinary CAM-Research at the University of Copenhagen, KUFAB Institute of sociology, Øster Farimagsgade 5, DK - 1014, København K, Denmark;Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1014, Copenhagen K, Denmark;National research center in complementary and alternative medicine, NAFKAM Faculty of health science, University of Tromsø, 9037, Tromsø, Norway;

关键词: Contact Person;    Health Personnel;    Regional Health Authority;    Anthroposophic Medicine;    Danish Hospital;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1472-6882-11-4

 received in 2010-06-19, accepted in 2011-01-18,  发布年份 2011

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundSeveral studies have found that a high proportion of the population in western countries use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). However, little is known about whether CAM is offered in hospitals. The aim of this study was to describe to what extent CAM is offered in Norwegian and Danish hospitals and investigate possible changes in Norway since 2001.MethodsA one-page questionnaire was sent to all included hospitals in both countries. The questionnaire was sent to the person responsible for the clinical activity, typically the medical director. 99 hospitals in the authority (85%) in Norway and 126 in Denmark (97%) responded. Given contact persons were interviewed.ResultsCAM is presently offered in about 50% of Norwegian hospitals and one-third of Danish hospitals. In Norway CAM was offered in 50 hospitals, 40 of which involved acupuncture. 19 hospitals gave other alternative therapies like biofeedback, hypnosis, cupping, ear-acupuncture, herbal medicine, art therapy, homeopathy, reflexology, thought field therapy, gestalt therapy, aromatherapy, tai chi, acupressure, yoga, pilates and other. 9 hospitals offered more than one therapy form. In Denmark 38 hospitals offered acupuncture and one Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Light Therapy. The most commonly reported reason for offering CAM was scientific evidence in Denmark. In Norway it was the interest of a hospital employee, except for acupuncture where the introduction is more often initiated by the leadership and is more based on scientific evidence of effect. All persons (except one) responsible for the alternative treatment had a medical or allied health professional background and their education/training in CAM treatment varied substantially.ConclusionsThe extent of CAM being offered has increased substantially in Norway during the first decade of the 21st century. This might indicate a shift in attitude regarding CAM within the conventional health care system.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Salomonsen et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2011