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The following is a summary of “A cross-sectional study exploring general practitioners’ views on dietary supplements,” published in the November 2024 issue of Primary Care by Wagner et al.
Patients commonly use dietary supplements (DS) for health benefits. General practitioners (GPs) often serve as the first point of contact for DS-related inquiries.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study to explore GPs views on DS.
They conducted a cross-sectional online survey with 162 GPs in Germany between May and August 2021. The questionnaire assessed GPs’ views on DS, including safety, efficacy, and importance in practice. Data were analyzed using inferential statistics and logistic regression to explore associations with demographic factors.
The results showed a 100% consent rate. 64.8% (n=99) of respondents considered DS important in daily practice, and 61.2% (n=93) believed in their efficacy and safety. About 86.8% (n=132) favored standardized guidelines, and 89.5% (n=136) supported improved medical education on DS. Physicians who self-administered DS were significantly more likely to perceive them as safe (OR 4.25, 95% CI: 1.74–10.40). Self-administration (OR 4.52, 95% CI: 1.67–12.22) and participation in CME (OR 3.52, 95% CI: 1.13–9.38) were positively associated with perceiving DS as important.
They found that German GPs recognized the importance of DS in routine care but called for better regulation and standardized guidelines. The findings suggested that targeted educational interventions could improve the management of DS in daily practice.
Source: bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-024-02654-4
