A survey of complementary and alternative medicine practitioner's perceptions of evidence-based medicine

Introduction: Increasing numbers of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners are interested in evidence-based medicine (EBM). Researchers are in need of further information regarding the current status of CAM practitioners knowledge and use of EBM. Methods and materials: A questionnaire survey was distributed in July 2010 to all Korean medical doctors (n= 388) practising in traditional Korean medicine (TKM) hospitals in Korea. Results: The response rate was 68.30% (n= 265). Respondents tended to have a positive attitude towards EBM. Although 86% of respondents had used general databases in the previous year, they demonstrated a low level of awareness of relevant information sources and basic technical terms. Many respondents thought that applying EBM would make it easier for them to explain their treatment, progress, and prognosis to patients (26%). The majority perceived barriers to practicing EBM included differences in the fundamental concepts of EBM and CAM (30%), lack of evidence (16%) and lack of time (15%). Development of guidelines and protocols (36%) was the most appropriate method of application of EBM. Conclusion: CAM practitioners were rather welcoming of EBM but the advantage that they expect from EBM is in contrast to previous research on the use of EBM among practitioners and patients in biomedicine. A high percentage of practitioners had access to general bibliographic databases but failed to know how to apply it. This was the biggest perceived barrier and is another distinctive feature of CAM practitioners. The development of CAM guidelines and protocols are urgently required. This article belongs to the Special Issue: Clinical Guidelines.