HEALTH SERVICE RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
Please note: All posters will be displayed in
Salons 10-12.
FRIDAY, 5:45-6:30 PM
Kemper KJ.
Clinical expertise: herbs and dietary supplements
Wake Forest University School of Medicine kkemper@wfubmc.edu
BACKGROUND: Clinicians generally have limited
knowledge, confidence and communication (K,C,C) about herbs and dietary
supplements (HDS). We compared physicians', nurses', pharmacists' and
nurses' (clinicians') K,C,C about HDS to better target future curricula.
METHODS: Cross-sectional survey of clinicians
prior to e-curriculum about HDS in 2004 - 2005. The survey had 28 questions
about knowledge, 19 questions about their confidence and 11 questions
about their communication practices about HDS.
RESULTS: Of the 1,268 participants, 25% were
male; the average age was 40 years. Mean scores were 66% correct for
knowledge; 53/95 on the confidence scale and 2.2 out of possible 10
on the communication practices scale. On average, scores were lowest
for subjects less than 31or greater than 50 years old; those who used
fewer HDS; and trainees and nurses (P<0.01 for all comparisons).
CONCLUSION: Clinicians have moderate levels
of knowledge and confidence, but poor communication skills about HDS.
Future curricula about HDS should target nurses, students, practitioners
< 30 or > 50 years old, and those not currently using HDS. Research
is needed to determine the most cost-effective educational strategies
for diverse health professionals
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