Factors associated with utilization of traditional Chinese medicine by white collar foreign workers living in Taiwan

Background  

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has remained an integral part of Chinese culture and society for thousands of years. In Taiwan TCM is a recognized element of its National Health Insurance Scheme. However, there is no knowledge about how TCM is accessed by foreign workers from a non-Asian cultural background. The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence and patterns of TCM use among non-Asian white-collar workers living in Taiwan, and examine factors likely to influence their use of TCM.     

Utilization patterns of Chinese medicine and Western medicine under the National Health Insurance Program in Taiwan,a population-based study from 1997 to 2003

Background  

In 1995, Taiwan has launched a national health-care system (the National Health Insurance Program, NHI) covering the use of both Western medicine (WM) and Chinese medicine (CM). This population-based study was conducted to understand the role of CM in this dual medical system by determining the utilization patterns of CM and WM and to analyze the demographic characteristics and primary indications influencing the choice of the medical services for the development of strategies to enhance the appropriate use and reduce unnecessary use of CM.     

Medicina herbal china ofertada en páginas web en español: calidad de la información y riesgos

Objective

The growing use of purchase online via Internet retailers favours the access to potentially toxic natural products. It also contributes to the quick dissemination of the claims made by the retailers on efficacy and safety, these claims being not always based upon reliable information. Here, we have conducted an online search to find Spanish-language retail websites for Chinese herbal medicine and we have analysed them for the quality of product information and the potential health risks.

Age, chronic non-communicable disease and choice of traditional Chinese and western medicine outpatient services in a Chinese population

Background  

In 1997 Hong Kong reunified with China and the development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) started with this change in national identity. However, the two latest discussion papers on Hong Kong's healthcare reform have failed to mention the role of TCM in primary healthcare, despite TCM's public popularity and its potential in tackling the chronic non-communicable disease (NCD) challenge in the ageing population. This study aims to describe the interrelationship between age, non-communicable disease (NCD) status, and the choice of TCM and western medicine (WM) services in the Hong Kong population.     

Polysaccharide from Fuzi (FPS) Prevents Hypercholesterolemia in Rats

Background and aim  

Polysaccharide from fuzi (FPS), a Chinese herbal medicine extract, has been demonstrated to exert lipid lowering affects. In this study we examined potential mechanisms underlying this affect, specifically alterations in expression of the LDL-receptor (LDL-R), 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase and cytochrome P450 7α-1 (CYP7α-1), using a rat model of hypercholesterolemia.     

Priority setting for new technologies in medicine: A transdisciplinary study

Background  

Decision makers in health care organizations struggle with how to set priorities for new technologies in medicine. Traditional approaches to priority setting for new technologies in medicine are insufficient and there is no widely accepted model that can guide decision makers.     

Patient satisfaction with primary care: an observational study comparing anthroposophic and conventional care

Background  

This study is part of a cross-sectional evaluation of complementary medicine providers in primary care in Switzerland. It compares patient satisfaction with anthroposophic medicine (AM) and conventional medicine (CON).     

Extent and structure of health insurance expenditures for complementary and alternative medicine in Swiss primary care

Background  

The study is part of a nationwide evaluation of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in primary care in Switzerland. The goal was to evaluate the extent and structure of basic health insurance expenditures for complementary and alternative medicine in Swiss primary care.     

Patients' understanding of genetic susceptibility testing in mainstream medicine: qualitative study on thrombophilia

Background  

UK and US policy initiatives have suggested that, in the future, patients and clinicians in mainstream medicine could use genetic information to prevent common illnesses. There are no studies on patients' experience and understanding of the process of testing for common genetic susceptibilities in mainstream medicine.     

Measuring access to medicines: a review of quantitative methods used in household surveys

Background  

Medicine access is an important goal of medicine policy; however the evaluation of medicine access is a subject under conceptual and methodological development. The aim of this study was to describe quantitative methodologies to measure medicine access on household level, access expressed as paid or unpaid medicine acquisition.     

Job satisfaction of occupational medicine nurses in Poland

Objectives  

The study aimed at assessment of the Polish occupational medicine service system after over ten years of functioning in the current shape, made by occupational nurses. The article focuses on the job satisfaction level among Polish occupational medicine nurses.     

Factors associated with self-care activities among adults in the United Kingdom: a systematic review

Background  

The Government has promoted self-care. Our aim was to review evidence about who uses self-tests and other self-care activities (over-the-counter medicine, private sector, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), home blood pressure monitors).     

Integrating complementary and alternative medicine into academic medical centers: Experience and perceptions of nine leading centers in North America

Background  

Patients across North America are using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with increasing frequency as part of their management of many different health conditions. The objective of this study was to develop a guide for academic health sciences centers that may wish to consider starting an integrative medicine program.     

Generic medicine substitution practices among community pharmacists: a nationwide study from Malaysia

Aims  

This study aims to assess generic medicine substitution practices among Malaysian community pharmacists.     

The Primary Care Practitioner and the diagnosis of occupational diseases

Background  

Rather than a clinical diagnosis, in occupational medicine the critical point is the etiological diagnosis. The first is useful for the therapy, the latter for preventive, epidemiological, regulatory, and insurance measures.     

Survey of the opinions on the occupational health system in turkey expressed by patients of the Istanbul Hospital of Occupational Diseases

Objective  

To examine the opinion of patients of an occupational diseases hospital on the quality of provision of occupational medicine services in Turkey.     

Intervention mapping for the development of a strategy to implement the insurance medicine guidelines for depression

Background  

This article describes the development of a strategy to implement the insurance medicine guidelines for depression. Use of the guidelines is intended to result in more transparent and uniform assessment of claimants with depressive symptoms.     

Trend towards multiple authorship in occupational medicine journals

Background  

There is an established trend towards an increasing number of authors per article in prestigious journals for medicine and health sciences. It is uncertain whether a similar trend occurs to the same extent in journals for specific medical specialties.     

Health need and the use of alternative medicine among adults who do not use conventional medicine

Background  

We hypothesize that a substantial portion of individuals who forgo conventional care in a given year turn to some form of alternative medicine. This study also examines whether individuals who use only alternative medicine will differ substantially in health and sociodemographic status from individuals using neither alternative medicine nor conventional care in a given year. To identify those factors that predict alternative medicine use in those not using conventional care, we employed the socio-behavioral model of healthcare utilization.     

The perception of the benefits of herbal medicine consumption among the Thai elderly

Objectives  

To determine how the Thai elderly perceived the benefits of herbal medicine consumption and to study related variables influencing their perception.