No abstract

to formally assess and characterize the usage of unconventional medical tests in the United States. Methods: A cross-sectional survey among licensed healthcare professionals associated with 12 national CAM/integrative medicine organizations using an anonymous, online survey instrument. Participants were queried on the types and rationale regarding unconventional medical laboratory tests, reimbursement status, use in pediatric patients, and demographics. Results: Responses from 638 participants were recorded. The average age of survey participants was 46 years of age, with an average of 12.6 years of practice. The most frequently used medical laboratory tests included stool analyses, urine neurotransmitter assays, organic acid tests, salivary hormone assays, and urine heavy metal tests. 26-35% of adult patients receive unconventional laboratory tests, while 31-46% of tests are used in children. 61% of providers use unconventional tests with pediatric patients for a variety of indications. 40-53% of adult tests were reimbursed by third parties, with private insurance, and Medicare being the predominant payers. Conclusion: These data provide insights to the practice patterns and reimbursement status of this burgeoning clinical practice. Unconventional tests are often utilized in chronic conditions without reliable mainstream treatments. Further study on the validity of the most prevalent tests can provide greater insights to the clinical utility of unconventional medical laboratory testing.