Use and interest in complementary and alternative medicine among college students seeking healthcare at a university campus student health center

• A large proportion of college students seeking healthcare currently use CAM.
• Surveyed college students desire information to guide their decisions in using CAM.
• Most students would be more likely to try CAM if covered under insurance.
• Students would most like to learn about diet/nutrition, massage, and supplements.
• Brochures, website, and physician advising are desired sources for CAM information.

BackgroundThere is growing data on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) preferences among college students. While several studies have focused on undergraduate students, there is limited data on graduate students.Materials and methodsCross sectional analysis of undergraduate and graduate students seeking medical care at the University of California Irvine's Student Health Center (SHC). The survey assessed previous CAM use and preferences for future CAM use and education.ResultsThe majority (67.0%) had used CAM within the last year, 27.0% would use CAM for their current health condition, and 51.9% would consider CAM for their current health condition if they were more knowledgeable. Most respondents desired more CAM education and indicated that they would try CAM modalities if covered under insurance.ConclusionMost college students requested more knowledge to assist in their decisions to use CAM. These findings provide insight for health centers on the preferences of college student patients.