Julia Younes
Research Mentor: Dr. Nikhil Parekh
Mentor Department: Wayne State University, NonUM
Author(s): Not Available
Session: Session 7 (4:00 PM – 4:50 PM)
Presentation Type: Poster 17
Abstract
Integrative medicine combines conventional medical practices with evidence-based complementary approaches to support overall health and well-being, particularly in the management of chronic diseases and conditions such as cancer. This study aimed to examine how frequently individuals use integrative medicine, identify commonly used practices, and assess perceptions of its effectiveness, accessibility, and trust. It also explored whether these perceptions and behaviors differed across demographic groups. An anonymous online survey was developed and distributed through Qualtrics. The survey collected data on awareness, usage patterns, attitudes toward integrative medicine, perceived effectiveness, and basic demographic characteristics. After data collection, responses were reviewed, cleaned in Excel, and analyzed using RStudio. Independent samples t-tests and chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests were used to evaluate potential differences between groups. Results indicated that participants generally held positive attitudes toward integrative medicine and perceived it as effective; however, reported levels of engagement were lower. Across analyses, no statistically significant gender differences were found in perceived effectiveness, agreement with integrative medicine-related statements, or frequency of engagement (p > 0.05). Although small differences in mean scores were observed, overall patterns were consistent across groups. These findings suggest that while awareness and perceptions of integrative medicine are favorable, they do not always translate into active participation, highlighting a gap between attitudes and behavior. To address this gap, an implementation project was developed in the form of a website designed to improve awareness, provide accessible evidence-based information, and encourage greater engagement with integrative medicine practices.
