Older Americans Don't Talk About
CAM with their Physicians

Most older Americans do not communicate with their doctors about their use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Among people age 50 or older, 69 percent of those who use CAM do not talk to their doctors about it, according to a new survey conducted by the American Association of Retired People (AARP) and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) at the National Institutes of Health. The survey examined conversations between patients and their physicians regarding CAM use.

 “We know that people 50 and older tend to be high users of complementary and alternative medicine, but this study was the first to explore gaps in communications regarding the use of CAM between patients and their physicians,” said Cheryl Matheis, AARP director of health strategies, in a press release. “Communication is important to ensure the wise use of all conventional and CAM therapies.”

Differences in communication practices across demographic groups were also found. Women were more likely than men to have discussed CAM use (26 percent vs. 16 percent) and what types of therapies used (70 percent vs. 51 percent). In addition, people with incomes of $75,000 or more (31 percent) or $25,000 to $49,999 (25 percent) frequently discussed CAM use with doctors.