Results from a collaborative survey designed to measure the infertility patient attitudes and usage of complementary and alternative medicine including acupuncture, yoga, massage and medicinal herbs.

1. Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Fertility Treatment
Patient Attitudes and Usage Survey Results
Patricia M. Stull
Vice President , Strategic Development
Shady Grove Fertility Centers

2. Research and Survey Partners

3. Important Definitions
 Complementary Medicine
Refers to using CM together with conventional medicine. Most use of CAM by
Americans is complementary.
 Alternative Medicine
Refers to use of CAM in place of conventional medicine.
 Integrative or Integrated Medicine
Combines treatments from conventional medicine and CAM for which there is
some high-quality evidence of safety and effectiveness.

4. What Is Included Under the Complementary and
Alternative Treatment Umbrella?
Natural Products
• Dietary supplements to improve condition
• Probiotics
Mind Body Practices
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Acupuncture
Manipulative and Body Based Practices
• Spinal manipulation
• Massage

5. Patient Survey Methods
 Shady Grove Fertility, Resolve & Attain Fertility
 Prospective, Current and Past Patients
 Used email and social media to promote survey
 701 responses
 Additional Patient Survey Via Pulling Down the Moon
 81 responses
Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Fertility Treatment
Patient Attitudes and Usage Survey Results 10/21/12

6. Who Responded: By Age
400
357
300 275
200
100
40
4 1
0
18-24 25-34 35-44 45-55 Older than 55
Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Fertility Treatment
Patient Attitudes and Usage Survey Results 10/21/12
677 out of 701 respondents

7. Who Responded: Ethnicity
73% 14% Caucasian
African American
Asian
6% Hispanic
5% Middle Eastern
1% Other
1%
Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Fertility Treatment
Patient Attitudes and Usage Survey Results 10/21/12
667 out of 701 respondents

8. 86% earned College or Graduate Degree
10%
1%3%
36% High School Degree
Some College
College Degree
50% Graduate Degree
Other
Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Fertility Treatment
Patient Attitudes and Usage Survey Results 10/21/12
670 out of 701 respondents

9. 62% Reported Household Income of$100K plus
125
100
75
50
25
0
<$50,000 $50,000 - $75,000 - $100,000 - $125,000 - $150,000 - $200,000+
$74,999 $99,999 $124,999 $149,999 $199,999
Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Fertility Treatment
Patient Attitudes and Usage Survey Results 10/21/12
589 out of 701 respondents

10. Who Responded: Fertility Status
13%
7% 5%
Trying to Conceive Naturally
In treatment with an OB/GYN
25% or PCP
In treatment at a Fertility
Center
Successfully Completed
50% Treatment (had a baby)
Stopped Treatment
Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Fertility Treatment
Patient Attitudes and Usage Survey Results 10/21/12
628 out of 701 respondents

11. What CAM Have You Used for General Health?
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Vitamins Diet/Nutrition Acupuncture Yoga Massage Herbs Counseling / Other
Group Support
Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Fertility Treatment
Patient Attitudes and Usage Survey Results 10/21/12
611 out of 701 respondents

12. survey respondents have used
CAMspecifically to
improve their fertility
Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Fertility Treatment
Patient Attitudes and Usage Survey Results 10/21/12
679 out of 701 respondents

13. Which CAM have you used to improve fertility?
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Vitamins Diet/Nutrition Acupuncture Yoga Massage Herbs Counseling / Other
Group Support
Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Fertility Treatment
Patient Attitudes and Usage Survey Results 10/21/12 449 out of 484 respondents

14. Type of CAM Used for General Health vs. Fertility
General Health Fertility
100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
Vitamins Diet/Nutrition Acupuncture Yoga Massage Herbs
Counseling / Group Support
Other None
Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Fertility Treatment
Patient Attitudes and Usage Survey Results 10/21/12

15. believe CAM treatment
helped them conceive
69%
thought CAM treatment helped
49%
say CAM treatment
10%
them reduce gave them a didn’t think CAM treatment
stress & relax sense of control provided any benefits
Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Fertility Treatment
Patient Attitudes and Usage Survey Results 10/21/12
449 out of 484 respondents

16. 64% of Patients Self-Referred to Their CAM Provider
21%
11%
4%
Self/Online
Friend
Doctor
Nurse
64%
Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Fertility Treatment
Patient Attitudes and Usage Survey Results 10/21/12
378 out of 484 respondents

17. survey respondents said they would be MORE
LIKELY
to pursue CAM treatment
if recommended by their
physician or nurse
Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Fertility Treatment
Patient Attitudes and Usage Survey Results 10/21/12 180 out of 217 respondents answered

18. How long have you been in using CAM?
200
150
100
50
0
1 month or less 2-4 months 5-6 months 6 months or more
Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Fertility Treatment
Patient Attitudes and Usage Survey Results 10/21/12
448 out of 484 respondents

19. What is preventing you from seeking
CAM?
3% Not covered by
6%
38% insurance/cost
9% Skeptical it will work
Unsure how to evaluate a
provider
17% Not recommended by my
physician
Concerned about an adverse
affect
27% Inconvenient
Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Fertility Treatment
Patient Attitudes and Usage Survey Results 10/21/12
205 out of 217 respondents

20. Optimal location for your CAM provider?
20%
11%
Close to Home
Close to Work
In or near my doctor's office
69%
Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Fertility Treatment
Patient Attitudes and Usage Survey Results 10/21/12
643 out of 701 respondents

21. Additional Survey Responses
 Pulling Down the Moon also shared a modified survey with
active clients
 82 respondents
 Similar demographic group as previous respondents
 Additional questions offered new insights
Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Fertility Treatment
Patient Attitudes and Usage Survey Results 10/21/12

22. How Did CAM Impact on Your Fertility Treatment?
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Enabled me to stay in Helped me find Enabled me to Helped me initiated
fertility treatment closure after a failed transition to a more treatment
longer cycle advanced treatment
Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Fertility Treatment
Patient Attitudes and Usage Survey Results 10/21/12
71 out of 74 respondents

23. How Important Are the Following Criteria?
Spa-like Environment
All-inclusive center
Medical, scientific or professional credibility
Specialized training in fertility care
0 1 2 3 4 5
Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Fertility Treatment
Patient Attitudes and Usage Survey Results 10/21/12
75 out of 82 respondents

24. In Summary
 Increasing reliance on self-care and wellness will raise usage of
CAM therapies over the next decade.
 Integrating CAM services into the REI practice can help reduce
stress for patients enabling them to complete a course of
treatment instead of dropping out due to emotional exhaustion.
 Finding the right ‘fit’ and developing coordinated and evolving
communication systems is a fundamental key to integration.
 A united front among medical and CAM providers will maximize
patient support and satisfaction.