Table 6 Doctors’ beliefs and attitudes towards herbal medicine
Statement | Strongly Agree | Agree | Neutral | Disagree | Strongly Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Patients use herbs to improve blood glucose level | 21 (20.0%) | 54 (51.4%) | 23 (21.0%) | 6 (5.7%) | 1 (1.0%) |
Patients use herbs to treat other disease | 13 (12.4%) | 46 (43.8%) | 37 (35.2%) | 7 (6.7%) | 2 (1.9%) |
Patients use herbs to lose weight | 8 (7.6%) | 36 (34.3%) | 38 (36.2%) | 19 (18.1%) | 4 (3.8%) |
I ask patients about herbal usage to avoid side effects | 26 (24.8%) | 38 (36.2%) | 26 (24.8%) | 11 (10.5%) | 4 (3.8%) |
I ask patients about herbal usage to avoid herb-drug interaction | 29 (27.6%) | 40 (38.1%) | 23 (21.9%) | 10 (9.5%) | 3 (2.9%) |
Not all herbs are safe for diabetic patients | 59 (56.2%) | 26 (24.8%) | 12 (11.4%) | 3 (2.9%) | 5 (4.8%) |
I recommend herbs for diabetic patients based on scientific information | 7 (6.7%) | 21 (20.0%) | 39 (37.1%) | 22 (21.0%) | 16 (15.2%) |
I recommend herbs for diabetic patients based on patients’ previous experiences | 2 (1.9%) | 11 (10.5%) | 31 (29.5%) | 35 (33.3%) | 26 (24.8%) |
Doctor’s awareness about herbal usage reflects positively on patient’s health | 27 (25.7%) | 34 (32.4%) | 21 (20.0%) | 15 (14.3%) | 8 (7.6%) |
I would refer diabetic patients to a herbal medicine clinic if available | 13 (12.4%) | 20 (19.0%) | 36 (34.3%) | 25 (23.8%) | 11 (10.5%) |