An International, Cross-Sectional Survey of Psychiatry Researchers and Clinicians: Perceptions of Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine

Psychiatry, a medical specialty focusing on mental and behavioural concerns, involves a range of disorders affecting mood, behavior, and thoughts, often leading to impaired daily functioning. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5) and the International Classification of Disease (ICD-11) provide diagnostic criteria. Anxiety and depressive disorders have risen by 26% and 28%, respectively, since the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting one in eight individuals globally. Complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAIM) has gained traction, with 9.8% of those with mental health disorders utilizing it. CAIM, including S-adenosylmethionine, St. John’s wort, omega-3 fatty acids, folate, and exercise, may offer potential benefits in tandem with conventional treatments. However, healthcare practitioners often lack training in CAIM, hindering informed recommendations. Clinical practice guidelines for CAIM treatments are variable and of suboptimal quality. This study aims to explore the perspectives of psychiatry researchers and clinicians towards CAIM. Insights into their views can lead to tailored educational resources, enhancing the integration of evidence-based CAIM practices in clinical settings, promoting better patient outcomes.

精神病学，一门专注于精神与行为问题的医学专科，涵盖了影响情绪、行为和思维的一系列疾病，这些疾病往往导致日常生活功能的损害。精神疾病诊断与统计手册第五版（DSM-5）和国际疾病分类第11版（ICD-11）提供了诊断标准。自COVID-19大流行以来，焦虑和抑郁障碍的发病率分别上升了26%和28%，影响全球八分之一的人口。补充、替代和整合医学（CAIM）得到了广泛关注，其中9.8%的心理健康障碍患者采用了这种治疗方式。CAIM，包括S-腺苷蛋氨酸、圣约翰草、ω-3脂肪酸、叶酸和运动等，与传统治疗方法结合使用，可能带来潜在益处。然而，医疗从业者往往缺乏CAIM的培训，这阻碍了基于知识的推荐。CAIM治疗的临床实践指南存在差异，且质量不理想。本研究旨在探讨精神病学研究人员和临床医生对CAIM的看法。了解他们的观点可以引领定制化的教育资源，增强基于证据的CAIM实践在临床环境中的整合，从而促进患者结局的改善。