Perceptions and practices towards Complimentary and Alternatives Medicine (CAM) among doctors in Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah Kedah (HSB)

The level of perceptions and practices among doctors regarding Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) have been explored through this study. According to the National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is define by a group of diverse medical and health care system, practices and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine. Complementary medicine refers to the use of CAM together with conventional medicine. Alternative medicine refers to the use of CAM in place of conventional medicine. This study focuses on how much the doctor’s perceptions and practices on CAM is that actually resulting many benefits. Our study was done at Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, which also known as one of the integrated hospitals that available with CAM practices. This is a cross sectional study involved 115 doctors who working in HSB. A validated questionnaire has been distributed to all doctors during the CME session. The collected data have been analyze using Microsoft SPSS version 20.0 and Microsoft Excel. The results collected from the questionnaires show that 65% of 115 doctors know that their patients refuse to share on the information regarding the usage of CAM due to the fear of rejection from the doctors and most 53% of the doctors shows only slightly interest on practising CAM. Thus, this result will be fully used soon on how to improve on the doctor perceptions and practices on CAM is thus enhancing the health care system in Malaysia and improving the patient’s quality of life.