Opinions on and use of alternative medicine among physicians, nurses and clerks in northern Norway

Abstract

In February 1997 a questionnaire on alternative medicine was distributed to 172 physicians, 374 nurses and 96 clerks, all employed in hospitals in the northern part of Norway. A response rate of 57% was achieved. The aim of the study was to compare different health professions regarding views on and use of alternative medicine. Among all respondents 56% described themselves as having a positive attitude towards alternative medicine (16% of the physicians, 71% of the nurses and 72% of the clerks). Twelve percent of physicians, 32% of nurses and 46% of clerks had been using alternative medicine. Female physicians and female nurses showed a more positive attitude and were more frequent users of alternative medicine than their male counterparts. Physicians had confidence in acupuncture, herbs and diets, mainly as treatment of muscle-skeletal disorders, and migraine. Nurses and clerks on the other hand tended to believe in various alternative methods against a broad range of disorders. Female physicians and nurses emphasised the importance of more information, knowledge and openness towards alternative treatments more than their male counterparts. They also believed that traditional medicine could benefit from adopting principles from alternative medicine.