Evaluation of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Practices in Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department

Year 2025, Volume: 20 Issue: 2, 96 - 102, 21.07.2025

Ali İhsan Kilci , Muhammed Semih Gedik , Hakan Hakkoymaz , Ömer Faruk Küçük , Rasim Gökmen , Muhammet Mustafa Yılmaz , Muhammed Ali Güler , Erdem Aksay

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to assess the usage rates, methods, awareness, and perceived effectiveness of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (TCAM) practices among patients presenting to the emergency department.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among patients presenting to the emergency department of a university hospital in Kahramanmaraş between March 7, 2024, and May 7, 2024. Written informed consent was obtained from participants, and a questionnaire was administered. The questionnaire included questions regarding the frequency of TCAM use, the methods employed, and the level of awareness about these practices, comprising 17 questions.
Results: The most frequently used TCAM methods were herbal treatments, massage, dietary supplements, and cupping therapy. Of the participants using these methods, 17.4% reported receiving services from healthcare professionals. Additionally, 50.7% of participants perceived TCAM practices as beneficial, while 45.0% reported partial benefits. Reasons for TCAM use included positive feedback from social circles, avoidance of medication side effects, curiosity, immune system enhancement, and perceived inadequacy of conventional medicine. Participants primarily obtained more information about TCAM from close contacts, followed by the internet, media, healthcare workers, and books/journals.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that patients presenting to the emergency department frequently turn to TCAM practices, predominantly accessed through non-professional people. TCAM use was found to be associated with sociodemographic characteristics. These findings reveal the importance of patients' access to accurate and reliable information.

Keywords

Traditional and Complementary Medicine , Emergency Department , TCAM , Herbal Therapy , cupping

Acil Servise Başvuran Hastalarda Geleneksel ve Tamamlayıcı Tıp Uygulamalarının Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, geleneksel, tamamlayıcı ve alternatif tıp (GETAT) uygulamalarının acil servise başvuran hastalar arasında hangi yöntemlerle ve ne sıklıkta kullanıldığını, bu uygulamaların bilinirliğini ve hastalar tarafından algılanan etkinliğini değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır.
Gereç ve Yöntemler: Bu kesitsel tanımlayıcı çalışma, 07.03.2024-07.05.2024 tarihleri arasında Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Hastanesi’nin acil servisine başvuran hastalar üzerinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Katılımcılardan yazılı onam alınmış ve anket formu uygulanmıştır. Anket, GETAT uygulama sıklığı, kullanılan yöntemler ve bilinirlik düzeyini içeren sorulardan oluşmakta ve 17 soru içermektedir.
Bulgular: En sık kullanılan GETAT yöntemleri bitkisel tedavi, masaj, besin takviyeleri ve kupa tedavisi olarak saptanmıştır. Bu yöntemleri kullanan katılımcıların %17,4’ü uygulamaları sağlık çalışanlarından aldığını belirtmiştir. Katılımcıların %50,7’si GETAT uygulamalarından fayda sağladığını ifade ederken, %45,0’ı kısmen fayda gördüğünü bildirmiştir. GETAT kullanma nedenleri arasında çevreden olumlu geri bildirim alma, ilaç yan etkilerinden kaçınma, merak, bağışıklık sistemini güçlendirme ve konvansiyonel tıbbın yetersiz kalması gibi sebepler öne çıkmıştır. Katılımcılar GETAT hakkında en çok bilgiyi yakın çevrelerinden alırken, internet, medya, sağlık çalışanları ve kitap/dergiler gibi diğer bilgi kaynakları olarak sıralanmıştır.
Sonuç: Bu çalışma, acil servise başvuran hastaların sıklıkla GETAT uygulamalarına yöneldiğini ve çoğunlukla sağlık çalışanları dışında kişiler tarafından bu hizmetlerin sağlandığını göstermektedir. GETAT kullanımının sosyo-demografik özelliklerle ilişkili olduğu bulunmuştur. Bu bulgular, hastaların doğru ve güvenilir bilgiye erişimlerinin önemini ortaya koymaktadır.

Keywords

Geleneksel ve Tamamlayıcı Tıp , Acil Servis , GETAT , Bitkisel Tedavi , hacamat

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