| Veterans value discussions with health care providers about natural products (NPs); however, the perception among some veterans that providers are biased against these products negatively affects patient-provider relationships, according to a new study by researchers from the San Francisco VA Health Care System and other collaborating institutions, published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. The findings of this study, which was funded by a collaborative agreement through the National Institutes of Healthâs National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health and the Office of Dietary Supplements, indicate that providers engaging in conversations about NPs with curiosity and respect can reinforce patient-provider relationships. Previous research has shown that natural product use is high among veterans with chronic pain, and an estimated 50 to 60 percent of veterans have chronic pain. Yet, few studies have examined veteransâ attitudes toward NPs or their discussions with health care providers around NPs. This study aimed to shed light on these topics. | 