Referrals Of Plastic Surgery Patients To Integrative Medicine Centers: A Review Of Resource Utility
Abstract
Background & Purpose:Integrative medicine centers (IM) and departments are increasingly more established nationwide and provide an expansive range of therapeutic services. With high prevalence of IM usage among plastic surgery... [ view full abstract ]
Background & Purpose:
Integrative medicine centers (IM) and departments are increasingly more established nationwide and provide an expansive range of therapeutic services. With high prevalence of IM usage among plastic surgery patients, we seek to ascertain patterns of referral from plastic surgeons and IM resource utility.
Methods:
A survey questionnaire was sent to IM center directors and/or administrators to ascertain referral patterns and their opinions on the benefits of services on plastic surgery patients referred.
Results:
Out of a total of 96 institutions running plastic and reconstructive surgery programs in North America, 24(25%) have named IM centers, of which we attained a survey response from 13 (54.5%). Each of these 49 institutes provides a mean of 5.1,±SEM 0.45 independent IM services. The top 3 most common services provided are acupuncture (69.4%), massage therapy (49%) and nutrition therapy (46.9%). Patient referrals are mostly from the department of medicine (73.8%) as opposed to surgery (13.1%) (p<0.0001), with a variable number of self-referred patients per center. Out of the total population of surgical patients seen, 3.33% are referred from the department of plastic and reconstructive surgery, translating to a 0.44% representation of the entire IM patient population seen at these 13 centers.
Conclusions IM centers and departments surveyed see minimal patients referred from plastic and reconstructive surgery. Surgeons need to be aware of this alternative therapeutic option and promote its safe consumption under guidance by IM professionals.
Authors
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Qing Zhao Ruan
(Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center)
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Bernard Lee
(Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center)
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Dhruv Singhal
(Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center)
Topic Area
Other
Session
QS-Other » Quick-Shot Presentations: Other (15:00 - Thursday, 21st September, Fellows 408)