Abstract

This study has been conducted to determine of family physicians’ level knowledge and perspectives with herbal products therapy (phytotherapy) and herbal products. Material and Methods Present study, which is a type of descriptive study, is designed with participation of the family physician specialists and assistants working public or private health organizations in several cities in between June 2007 and April 2008 by via electronic mail. In this research, a specifically developed questionnaire including 11 questions was applied for the physicians. Results 150 physicians participated in to the research from 30 provinces. The half of the study participants (75 people) was male. The mean age was 34.4. The 63.1% of the participating physicians stated that they applied or interested in phytotherapy. The 36.9% of physicians determined that they were against to phytotherapy or not interested. The major reasons of the opposition indifference are lack of evidence-based and not having enough study in this subject (50.0%), the insufficient legal regulations (16.7%), only being able be a the placebo effect (8.3%), and the thinking of being able to have harmful side effects (4.2%). There was not statistically significant difference between gender and interest in phytotherapy (p: 0.567). The 28.2% of the participating physicians stated that they ask to their patients whether using herbal products or not before their treatment or prescription. Conclusion Phytotherapy, which is frequently mentioned and used in currently, is a fact to be considered whether it is interested or not. Many studies show that is useful while the physicians taking medical history to inquire about if the patient use of this any product, to detect possible interactions and harms. addition, the studies emphasize that the production and consumption of herbal products is still not designed with legal regulation, there is no standardization of quality and evidence-based data is insufficient. It is a crucial necessity more comprehensive studies and relevant legal regulations for health.

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