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Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), includes a wide range of approaches such as herbal medicine, traditional therapies, mind-body intervention, etc. Although CAM is a common practice in India, it is not being integrated into the conventional medical system. There is a paucity of data regarding the usage and acceptance of CAM by patients. Objective: The aim was to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practice toward CAM among patients and to correlate these findings with their demographic and professional characteristics. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey conducted in 100 patients attending out-patient department of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Results: Among the respondents, 79.0% were aware of CAM and 46.0 used it. Most common system used was Ayurveda (71.73%), and most common ailment for which it is used was arthritis (30.43%). Majority consulted quacks (43.47%); physicians (23.91%), friends and relatives (19.56%), and 15.21% took CAM as a self-medication. Thirty percent felt that CAM was based on scientific evidence, 25% felt it was safer than modern medicine that is significantly more in women when compared to men. Twenty-five percentage opined that CAM is more efficacious than modern medicine that is significantly more in respondents >40 years age. The most common advantages reported were complete cure, easy availability and no side-effects, whereas disadvantages include food restriction, expensive medication, symptomatic relief and effective for limited diseases. Conclusion: Majority of patients use CAM along with modern medicine without physician's advice. Hence, healthcare professionals should be aware of this while taking clinical history and treating patients that may reduce drug interactions due to use of CAM particularly in the elderly population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Prescribing is a challenging task requiring knowledge of essential medicine (EM), rational use of medicines (RUM) and personal drugs (P-drug). Though the majority of clinicians recognize the importance of RUM, most of them have not been able to apply this knowledge in their medical practice. Aims: The aim of the following study is to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of clinicians about RUM, EM, P-drugs, and sources of drug information. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional, questionnaire based study. Subjects and Methods: Study was carried out in 100 respondents including faculty members and junior residents (JRs) in a tertiary-care teaching hospital. Statistical Analysis: Univariate analysis was carried out using fisher's exact test. Results: Nearly 93% respondents were aware about EM, but only 79% prescribe them. Percentage is significantly higher in respondents of age more than 30, having clinical experience <5 years and in faculty members as compared to residents. Nearly 87% respondents were aware about RUM, but only 83 % practice it. Though 30 % respondents practiced P-drug concept only 1% were aware about STEP criteria. Practicing P-drug concept was significantly more in JRs compared to faculty members (P < 0.0001). None of the respondents were aware about the number of drugs in National List of EMs of India. Conclusions: It is an encouraging finding that higher percentages of clinicians were aware about EM and also prescribed it. However, level of understanding related to P-drug concept and existence of essential medicines list are much below par. Also prescribing by trade name and heavy dependency on medical representatives for drug information is the matter of concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]