Herbal Supplement Use among Patients in a Rural Health System

Abstract

Background

The use of herbal supplements is common but has not been adequately documented in a rural health system.

Methods

A questionnaire measuring the use of herbal supplements, disclosure to a physician, and discussion with a physician was distributed to 400 adult patients in three rural offices. A separate survey was distributed to 24 physicians in these three practices.

Results

Two hundred ninety-three of 400 patient questionnaires (74%) and 18 of 22 physician questionnaires (75%) were returned and analyzed. Twenty percent of patients used herbal supplements and 59% of these disclosed this use to their physicians. Only half of the doctors returning the survey regularly asked their patients about herbal use and most admitted a lack of knowledge about herbals.

Conclusion

The use of herbal products may be less common in a rural health system than in other practice settings. Patients would disclose the use of herbal supplements to physicians more often if they were asked about such consumption and physician knowledge about the products were improved.