Attitudes of Family Physicians to Nonconventional Therapies: A Challenge to Science as the Basis of Therapeutics

Eighty-nine Israeli family physicians responded to a questionnaire on their experience with nonconventional therapies (NCTs) and their opinions about the scientific basis and clinical efficacy of these treatments. They were also asked whether they thought that NCTs should be incorporated into regular medical practice. Seventeen percent of the physicians had formal training in some form of NCT and 11% thought the scientific basis of these treatments was sound; however, a majority (54%) thought they may be clinically useful. Forty-two percent had referred patients for such treatments. The majority thought that NCTs should be incorporated into medical practice. Our survey suggests that many physicians are not using the tools of scientific critical appraisal in forming their views on NCTs.