The attitudes of safety in complementary alternative medicine on the orthopedic patients at the hospital ambulatory services in Taiwan

Background: That the patient uses Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) is in common in Taiwan. However, we do not know whether people check the safety of Complementary Alternative Medicine or not when they use them. A few study focus on the attitudes of safety in Complementary Alternative Medicine. Objectives: What do people think that CAMs are safe in Taiwan? Methods: The survey with self completed closed-questionnaire was executed from July.1, 2007 to October,15, 2007. There were 1200 respondents at the hospital ambulatory services. Descriptive statistics was adopted to analyze data. Results: the respondent rates are 91.7% (1100).  There are 585(53.2%)patients would like to see Chinese medicine doctor when they have bone problems.  506 (46%)respondents with bone injury have been seen CAMs for their bone diseases. 778(75.8%) think Chinese medicine better than other therapies. 768(75.4%) regard that the western medicine safer than other medicines. However,775�l(72.7%) would like to combine western medicine with CAMs. When no any doctors’ prescription, there are still 716(65.1%)buying medicated patches and 482(43.8%)buying muscle pain killer tubes for pain relieving. 414�l(41.9%)can use CAMs with only friends or relatives introducing.  Conclusions: People in Taiwan exactly like using CAMs but most of their knowledge, attitudes and behavior of CAMs may be not safe and correct to use them. The health education and safe policies in CAMs should be cosidered enhance on the safe knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of CAMs in Taiwan.