Knowledge levels and attitudes of family physicians in city of Samsun about traditional and complementary medicine

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, interest in Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) applications has increased all over the world and in our country. This study, it was aimed to investigate the knowledge levels and attitudes of family physicians in Samsun province about T&CM. METHODS: Physicians working in the family health center of Samsun Provincial Health Directorate participated in this descriptive, cross-sectional study. A data collection form including the level of knowledge and opinions about T&CM was applied to the physicians using the literature. Statistical analyzes were carried out with the help of the SPSS 17.0 package program. RESULTS: A total of 213 physicians participated, the average age was 45.54 +- 7.68. Hypnosis is the most common practice that physicians know about (89.67%). It was observed that they mostly applied cupping therapy (8.92%). Physicians most often recommend ozone therapy for their patients (27.23%). The most common practice they apply to their patients and have certification is cupping therapy (2.35%, 1.41%, respectively). Those who think that GETAT applications are beneficial and that classical medicine and complementary medicine are parts of a whole are in the majority. Physicians stated that they learned about T&CM from the social environment and media at a rate of 77%. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It is observed that the knowledge level of primary care physicians about T&CM is not sufficient. With increasing evidence-based scientific studies, T&CM awareness and correct use will also increase.