The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicines Among Surgical Patients: A Survey Study.

PURPOSE: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has increased around the world. This study evaluates CAM use in surgery patients.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional and descriptive study.

METHODS: This study was conducted in a university hospital in Turkey between January 1 and June 30, 2016, on volunteer inpatients who were scheduled for surgery because of various complaints.

FINDINGS: In this study, 65.9% of the patients used CAMs, 87.4% of the patients used herbal methods, and 63.7% of the patients used cognitive-behavioral methods.

CONCLUSIONS: Health care providers, and nursing staff, in particular, should have adequate knowledge of societal approaches to CAMs, as well as the possible benefits and harms CAM may cause.