Opinions of MDs, RNs, allied health practitioners toward osteopathic medicine and alternative therapies: Results from a Vermont survey

Abstract

Abstract The authors surveyed 191 allopathic physicians (MDs), registered nurses (RNs),and allied health professionals (AI-ll's) regarding their opinions toward osteopathicmedicine and alternative therapies. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to these healthcare professionals practicing in a rural region of west-central Vermont. Participants responded to six questions concerning osteopathicmedicine and 18 types of alternative therapies. These questions addressed safetyissues, efficacy, personal experience, patient referrals, interest in learningmore about alternative medicine, and whether alternative medicine should be provided at the regional hospital. The number of positive responses was totaled asa positive opinion score (POS) for each respondent. Survey results indicatedthat MDs' general acceptance of osteopathic medicine was less than that ofrelaxation techniques, massage therapy, self-help groups, and acupuncture. Allopathic physicians' opinions toward osteopaths mirrored that shown towardchiropractors. Nevertheless, MDs responded more positively to osteopathy thandid RNs and AHPs. Overall, RNs had a higher opinion of alternative therapies(mean POS 50.4) than did AI-ll's (mean POS 41.7) or MDs (mean POS 36.0;F = 4.98; P-value = 0.009). Among MDs, primary care providers averaged a POSof 41.1, while specialists had a mean POS of 24.0 (F = 6.85; P-value = 0.012).Overall, female respondents had a mean POS of 45.7 and men had a meanPOS of 37.0 (F =3.91; P-value = 0.051). The POS did not correlate with age (Pearson's r test; r = - 0.105).