Experiences and Perceptions Toward Integrative, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine Among Conventional Medicine Practitioners of Mangalore, India Nitin Joseph, MBBS, MD, a Chhavi Talwar, PUC, b Isha Sikdar, PUC, b Manjima Sengupta, PUC, b Daanish Ali Sayed, PUC, b and Ishika Mahajan, PUC b ABSTRACT Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify experiences and perception of conventional (Western, allopathic) medical practitioners toward integrative, complementary, and alternative medicine (ICAM). Methods: There are approximately 1200 conventional medical doctors in Mangalore, India. In February 2017, semistructured self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 200 medical practitioners. The association between categorical variables was analyzed using a χ 2 test and those involving continuous variables using unpaired t test, analysis of variance, and Karl Pearson’s coefficient of correlation. A P value ≤ .05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the surveys, 163 were returned and 129 were satisfactorily completed, giving a response rate of 64.5%. Mean age was 39.9 ± 11.9 years, and most 94 (72.9%) were male. A majority, 96 (74.4%), recommended ICAM to their patients. Nine had some training in ICAM modalities, and 76 (58.9%) participants reported personal usage of ICAM. Regarding perception toward effectiveness of ICAM, 33 (25.6%) felt that it was effective or somewhat effective. However, 82 (63.6%) participants felt that lack of sufficient scientific evidence was a major drawback of ICAM. However, 39 (30.2%) participants felt that ICAM should be part of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery curricula. Favorable perception toward ICAM (P b .001) and personal usage of ICAM (P b .001) was associated with participants recommending any ICAM for their patients. Elderly practitioners (aged above 65 years) (P = .003) and practitioners with favorable perception regarding effectiveness of ICAM (P = .033) recommended a higher number of types of ICAM to their patients. Favorable perception toward effectiveness of ICAM was associated with favorable perception toward inclusion of ICAM in medical curriculum among participants (P = .002). Conclusion: Most participants recommended ICAM to their patients and also reported personal usage of the same. (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2019;42:492-502) Key Indexing Terms: Medicine; Complementary Therapies; Integrative Medicine INTRODUCTION Usage of integrative, complementary, and alternative medicine (ICAM) has increased in both developing and developed countries over the past decade. 1(p.xi) Still, one- third of the world’s population has no regular access to pharmaceuticals. 1(p.xi) Therefore, there is a need to further improve the acceptability, accessibility, and affordability of primary health care services. To achieve this, the World Health Organization recommends integration of alternative sys- tems of medicine into the national health care system of all its member states. 2 The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govern- ment of India, launched the National AYUSH Mission during the 12th five-year plan. This was meant to promote Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) medical systems. Revitalization of these systems will transform them into prominent streams that would cater to the health care needs of the society. 3 The AYUSH systems of medicine are well accepted, particularly in rural parts of India. These medicines are economical and easily available because they can be a Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Mangalore, Karnataka State, India. b Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka State, India. Corresponding author: Nitin Joseph, MBBS, MD, Depart- ment of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Light House Hill Road, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India. (e-mail: drnitinjoseph@rediffmail.com). Paper submitted July 18, 2018; in revised form December 17, 2018; accepted December 19, 2018. 0161-4754 Copyright © 2019 by National University of Health Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2018.12.009