Summary: | Objective--Identify patient history intake questions common to four fields of
medicine - allopathic, naturopathic, chiropractic and Traditional Chinese Medicine to
be included in an Integrated Patient History Intake Tool.
Background--The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is on the
rise in the United States. 80% of those who used CAM therapies in 1990 did so in
conjunction with allopathic medicine, and 70% of those who used CAM therapies did
not tell their conventional practitioner. Lack of awareness of patients' use of CAM
therapies may hinder practitioners' ability to provide adequate healthcare.
Methods--A three-round modified Delphi technique was utilized to generate
consensus among 106 Oregon health care practitioners on the importance of specific
patient history intake questions. A panel of faculty members from Oregon Health and
Sciences University, the National College of Naturopathic Medicine, the Oregon
College of Oriental Medicine, and Western States Chiropractic College identified 321
patient history intake questions, which then were distributed to the Oregon healthcare
practitioners. The healthcare practitioners were asked to rate the importance of each
question through a series of two surveys over the period of eleven weeks. Suggestions
for additional intake questions also were invited.
Results--The Delphi process narrowed the 321 initial questions plus 150 additional
suggested questions down to a list of 52 intake questions to be included in the
Integrated Patient History Intake Tool. There was an overall response rate of 47% with
a 64% response rate to SURVEY I, and a 74% response rate for SURVEY II.
Discussion--The patient history intake questions have been identified for use in an
Integrated Patient History Intake tool. This Delphi study illustrated the differences that
are held unique for each paradigm of medicine. Determining unique characteristics of
complementary and alternative medicine from allopathic medicine is an important
aspect of building collaboration among allopathic and CAM providers within the state
of Oregon. The proposed model of an integrated patient history intake form provides a
platform from which to build further cooperation and awareness. === Graduation date: 2003
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