Medical practitioners' attitudes to complementary medicine

Abstract: A questionnaire was sent to all general practitioners and clinical hospital consultants in the West Dorset Health District to explore their attitude to, and practice of, complementary medicine. The responses were analysed by group (GP/Consultant), date of registration and sex. The response rate was lower than in similar surveys in other areas (61 %). Only 14% of the responders practised any form of complementary medicine and 40% (53 % of those registered in or after 1970) wished for some form of training. 85% of responders had referred patients to osteopaths at one time or another, 53% to chiropractors, 56% to homoeopaths, 65 % to acupuncturists and 4 7% to hypnotherapists. The total number of referrals in 1989 to the disciplines studied was relatively small apart from osteopathy (n = 525). 87% of the responders supported the right of lay persons to practise complementary medicine. Complementary services are not widely used by doctors in West Dorset. Recommendations are made to suggest taking advantage of those services where appropriate.

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