Role of AYUSH Therapies in Modern Medicine: A Qualitative Study to Explore the Awareness and Attitudes of Doctors Towards the Utilization of Alternate System of Medicine for Diabetes Mellitus

Figures & data

Table 1 Results for Awareness of Different Systems

	Absolute Frequency (Total %)
	Ayurveda	Siddha	Unani	Homeopathy
Not at all aware	24 (31.2)	52 (67.5)	51 (66.2)	37 (48.0)
Slightly aware	14 (18.2)	7 (9.1)	7 (9.1)	10 (13.0)
Somewhat aware	13 (16.9)	6 (7.8)	8 (10.4)	11 (14.3)
Moderately aware	22 (28.6)	10 (13)	9 (11.7)	15 (19.5)
Extremely aware	4 (5.2)	2 (2.6)	2 (2.6)	4 (5.2)
Total	77 (100)	77 (100)	77 (100)	77 (100)

Figure 1 Doctors’ awareness levels regarding AYUSH therapies for DM.

Table 2 Results for Doctors’ Perception Regarding the Effectiveness of Different Systems

	Absolute Frequency (Total %)				Allopathic Medicine
	Ayurveda	Siddha	Unani	Homeopathy
Not at all effective	31 (40.3)	55 (71.4)	54 (70.1)	39 (50.6)	2 (2.6)
Slightly effective	13 (16.9)	5 (6.5)	5 (6.5)	13 (16.9)	1 (1.3)
Somewhat effective	16 (20.8)	9 (11.7)	9 (11.7)	14 (18.2)	4 (5.2)
Moderately effective	14 (18.2)	6 (7.8)	7 (9.1)	10 (13)	16 (20.8)
Extremely effective	3 (3.9)	2 (2.6)	2 (2.6)	1 (1.3)	54 (70.1)
Total	77 (100)	77 (100)	77 (100)	77 (100)	77 (100)

Figure 2 Doctors’ perception of effectiveness of the different AYUSH therapies and allopathic medicine for DM.

Table 3 Results Demonstrating the Number of Doctors Who Have Used AYUSH Therapies as an Adjunct to Modern Medicine and Whether Their Decision Was Evidence Based

Recommended AYUSH Therapies as an Adjuvant to Allopathic Medicine	Decision Based on Scientific Evidence		Total
	Yes	No
Never	27	25	52
Almost never	3	0	3
Occasionally	17	2	19
Always	3	0	3

Figure 3 (A) Attitudes towards AYUSH therapies and safety. (B) Attitudes towards use of AYUSH therapies for different forms of diabetes mellitus. (C) Attitudes towards use of AYUSH therapies and their impact on quality of life.

Figure 4 Attitudes towards main factors preventing AYUSH therapies from becoming mainstream treatment options.