Practice recommendations and referrals, perceptions of efficacy and risk, and self-rated knowledge regarding complementary medicine: a survey of Australian psychologists.

Thomson-Casey, C; McIntyre, E; Rogers, K; Adams, J

Practice recommendations and referrals, perceptions of efficacy and risk, and self-rated knowledge regarding complementary medicine: a survey of Australian psychologists.

Thomson-Casey, C

McIntyre, E

Rogers, K

Adams, J

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Publisher:: BMC
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: BMC Complement Med Ther, 2024, 24, (1), pp. 13
Issue Date:: 2024-01-02

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Thomson-Casey, C https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4682-0480
dc.contributor.author	McIntyre, E https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3970-9979
dc.contributor.author	Rogers, K https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5497-4298
dc.contributor.author	Adams, J https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9901-5717
dc.date.accessioned	2024-03-20T01:09:30Z
dc.date.available	2023-11-29
dc.date.available	2024-03-20T01:09:30Z
dc.date.issued	2024-01-02
dc.identifier.citation	BMC Complement Med Ther, 2024, 24, (1), pp. 13
dc.identifier.issn	2662-7671
dc.identifier.issn	2662-7671
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/176935
dc.description.abstract	BACKGROUND: Many people with mental health problems use a range of complementary medicine (CM), including over the counter products, practices, and utilise the services of CM practitioners. Psychologists are likely to consult with clients using CM, in some form, as part of their broader mental health care. The aim of this research was to determine the number of types of CM products, practices, and practitioners are recommended and/or referred by Australian psychologists as part of their clinical practice, as well as explore the relationship between psychologists' perspectives on the risk and relevance of engaging with CM in psychology. METHODS: Survey data was collected from psychologists in clinical practice who self-selected to participate in the study via an online 79-item questionnaire exploring core aspects of CM engagement in psychology clinical practice. RESULTS: Amongst the 201 psychologists, 5% reported not recommending any type of CM, with 63% recommending four or more types of CM. Further, 25% had not referred to a CM practitioner, while 33% had referred to four or more types of CM practitioner. Psychologists are recommending and referring to CM even when they perceive their knowledge of CM to be poor, and that engaging with CM was a risk. CONCLUSION: This study provides insights into psychologist perceptions of CM within psychology practice and how these perceptions are associated with rates of recommending and referring to CM as part of their clinical practice. These findings may inform the development of CM relevant education and guidelines for psychologists.
dc.format	Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	BMC
dc.relation.ispartof	BMC Complement Med Ther
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1186/s12906-023-04288-y
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	Complementary Therapies
dc.subject.mesh	Surveys and Questionnaires
dc.subject.mesh	Referral and Consultation
dc.subject.mesh	Attitude of Health Personnel
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Complementary Therapies
dc.subject.mesh	Attitude of Health Personnel
dc.subject.mesh	Referral and Consultation
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	Surveys and Questionnaires
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	Complementary Therapies
dc.subject.mesh	Surveys and Questionnaires
dc.subject.mesh	Referral and Consultation
dc.subject.mesh	Attitude of Health Personnel
dc.title	Practice recommendations and referrals, perceptions of efficacy and risk, and self-rated knowledge regarding complementary medicine: a survey of Australian psychologists.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	24
utslib.location.activity	England
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)/Institute For Sustainable Futures
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Public Health
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Strength - ARCCIM - Australian Research Centre in Complementary & Integrative Medicine
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2024-03-20T01:09:26Z
pubs.issue	1
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	24
utslib.citation.issue	1

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Many people with mental health problems use a range of complementary medicine (CM), including over the counter products, practices, and utilise the services of CM practitioners. Psychologists are likely to consult with clients using CM, in some form, as part of their broader mental health care. The aim of this research was to determine the number of types of CM products, practices, and practitioners are recommended and/or referred by Australian psychologists as part of their clinical practice, as well as explore the relationship between psychologists' perspectives on the risk and relevance of engaging with CM in psychology. METHODS: Survey data was collected from psychologists in clinical practice who self-selected to participate in the study via an online 79-item questionnaire exploring core aspects of CM engagement in psychology clinical practice. RESULTS: Amongst the 201 psychologists, 5% reported not recommending any type of CM, with 63% recommending four or more types of CM. Further, 25% had not referred to a CM practitioner, while 33% had referred to four or more types of CM practitioner. Psychologists are recommending and referring to CM even when they perceive their knowledge of CM to be poor, and that engaging with CM was a risk. CONCLUSION: This study provides insights into psychologist perceptions of CM within psychology practice and how these perceptions are associated with rates of recommending and referring to CM as part of their clinical practice. These findings may inform the development of CM relevant education and guidelines for psychologists.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/176935