Thompson Jennifer Jo, Nichter Mark
University of Arizona, Tucson, USA.
Altern Ther Health Med. 2007 Mar-Apr;13(2):48-55.
Current research on dietary supplements (primarily survey-based prevalence studies and clinical trials of safety and efficacy) is inadequate for understanding how consumers use supplements in the real world. Analyzing interview data from formative research with dietary supplement users (N=60), we observed skepticism in the way our informants interpret scientific information about supplements, trust in referrals from those they feel are like them, and experimentation with products in order to tailor them to their bodies and needs. We stress the need for qualitative research focusing on patterns of supplement use in context (rather than as isolated supplements in fixed doses), the network effect of supplement use, and the way information about supplements is translated and transmitted. Furthermore, we urge clinicians to pay careful attention not only to whether patients are taking dietary supplements, but also how supplements are being used alone and in combination with other supplements, pharmaceuticals, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
目前关于膳食补充剂的研究（主要是基于调查的患病率研究以及安全性和有效性的临床试验）不足以了解消费者在现实世界中如何使用补充剂。通过分析来自膳食补充剂使用者的形成性研究的访谈数据（N = 60），我们观察到，我们的受访者在解释有关补充剂的科学信息时持怀疑态度，信任来自他们认为与自己相似的人的推荐，并对产品进行试验以使其适合自己的身体和需求。我们强调需要进行定性研究，重点关注补充剂在实际使用中的模式（而不是作为固定剂量的单一补充剂）、补充剂使用的网络效应，以及有关补充剂的信息是如何转化和传播的。此外，我们敦促临床医生不仅要密切关注患者是否正在服用膳食补充剂，还要关注补充剂是如何单独使用以及与其他补充剂、药物和非处方药（OTC）联合使用的。
