Factors associated with co-use of Chinese medicine and Western medicine among outpatients: A survey in a medical center of Chinese Medical University hospital of Central-Taiwan

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors which are related to the behaviors of patients who visited 
both Chinese Medicine (CM) clinics and Western Medicine (WM) clinics, as well as using medications of CM and 
WM in the same day. The questionnaire was developed according to a series of discussions from an expertise 
group. Two thousand patients who visited outpatient clinics at China Medical University Hospital were randomly 
selected and recruited voluntarily by interviewers who had been trained in interview skills. The descriptive 
analysis and stepwise logistic regressions were used. The survey response rate was 78.4% and the average age 
of participants was 47.3 (SD=16.3) years. Among those who visited WM or CM clinics within past three years 
(n=1799), 58.6% visited both WM and CM clinics. Females with higher education who were younger than 40 years 
old and who used more health-related supplements have a significantly higher tendency to visit both kinds of 
clinics. Those patients with chronic bronchitis, chronic hepatitis, gynecological diseases, allergies and exercise 
injuries were more likely to visit both clinics. Moreover, among those who visited both clinics (n=1054), 61.5% 
(n=648) were likely to co-medicate with WM and CM in the same day. Despite having some limitations, this study 
did demonstrate the high prevalence of co-use and co-medication of CM and WM in Taiwan. Patients with chronic 
diseases or long-term intake of medicines and young educated women are at a high risk of developing drug 
toxicity.