A Dose of Our Own Medicine: Alternative Medicine, Conventional Medicine, and the Standards of Science

2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Haavi Morreim
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Scientific Community ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Acupuncture Points ◽  
Free Ride ◽  
The People ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

The discussion about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is sometimes rather heated. “Quackery!” the cry goes. A large proportion “of unconventional practices entail theories that are patently unscientific.” “It is time for the scientific community to stop giving alternative medicine a free ride. There cannot be two kinds of medicine — conventional and alternative. There is only medicine that has been adequately tested and medicine that has not, medicine that works and medicine that may or may not work.” “I submit that if these treatments cannot withstand the test of empirical research, … then we have wasted a lot of time and effort. The time has been wasted on all the people who have spent years learning falsehoods about acupuncture points and the principles of homeopathy. And the patients have wasted their time, money, and efforts receiving treatments that were not what they were represented to be or were harmful.”

scholarly journals Complementary and Alternative Medicine versus Conventional Medicine Use in Thalassemia Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (16) ◽  
pp. 105-111
Author(s):  
Wan Ismahanisa Ismail ◽  
Mohamed Azmi Ahmad Hassali ◽  
Maryam Farooqui ◽  
Muhammad Nabil Fikri Roslan ◽  
Nazri Che Dom
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Publishing House ◽  
Medicine Use ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
International Publishing ◽  
Treatment Procedures ◽  
Open Access Article ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Background: This study explores thalassemia patients' perceptions concerning the effectiveness of conventional therapies for Thalassemia healthcare. Method: The semi-structured interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English. Results: Nearly all thalassemia patients reported to have relied on conventional treatment methods to treat and reduce the severity of their disease. Few patients reported not to comply with their treatment procedures due to fear of infection through blood transfusion, surgery and organ failure. Conclusions: In conclusion, patients showed positive views about the conventional therapies carried out for Thalassemia. Keywords:: Thalassemia; qualitative; conventional; complementary and alternative medicine eISSN: 2398-4287© 2021. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v6i16.2665

scholarly journals Beyond a Generic Complementary and Alternative Medicine: The Holistic Health Care- Conventional Medicine Continuum

2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 153-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anske Robinson ◽  
Janice Chesters ◽  
Simon Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Holistic Health ◽  
Natural Remedy ◽  
Health Care Beliefs ◽  
Holistic Health Care ◽  
Different Characteristics ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

This article explores whether complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) users view CAM as a unified concept or individualize the modalities. A survey about the beliefs and concerns surrounding the use of 22 CAM modalities was posted to a random sample of 1,308 people in five rural and two metropolitan localities in Victoria, Australia. The response rate was 40% (n = 459). Overall, 91% of respondents were found to either have used one CAM modality (85%, n = 386) or be open to future use (6%, n = 33). Respondents did not view CAM as a unified concept. Each modality was used by people with different characteristics and beliefs about health care. However, it was practical to divide the 22 CAM modalities into four categories that we have named natural remedy, wellness, accepted, and established modalities. The four categories lie along a set of continua extending from natural remedy modalities and ‘‘holistic health care’’ beliefs at one end to established modalities and a belief in the tenets of conventional medicine at the other. We were able to develop a model to show this diagrammatically.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine/Integrative Medicine Approaches

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalpana D. Shere-Wolfe
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
Alternative Medications ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not currently considered part of conventional medicine. If a non-mainstream practice is used together with conventional medicine, it is considered “complementary.” If a non-mainstream practice is used in place of conventional medicine, it is considered “alternative.” Many patients use CAM approaches to their care. Often, patients do not disclose what methods they are using, and providers may have little knowledge of the effects of alternative medications. Interactions with antiretroviral therapy and other medications are important to the care of the patient. Physicians need to routinely ask about CAM use, particularly herbal medicines and supplements.

scholarly journals Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among emergency department (ED) patients in Sweden

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny M Carlsson ◽  
Madelene Vestin ◽  
Kristofer Bjerså
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Abstract Background It has been suggested that the combination of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with conventional medicine carries a risk of adverse effects. The prevalence of CAM usage among patients in the Swedish emergency department (ED) is unknown. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate CAM use among visiting patients at a Swedish ED. Method A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed between August and October 2016 at an ED in Sweden. The questionnaire included 16 items regarding CAM use, factors associated with CAM use and patient healthcare communication and was distributed to 1600 patients. Results A total of 1029 questionnaires was returned (RR 64.3%). Current CAM use was reported by 7.9%, during the last year by 38.0%, and within lifetime by 72.9%. Factors associated with CAM use were: being a woman, middle-aged, in full-time employment, with secondary education level, higher use of non-prescription drugs and lower use of prescription drugs. Patient healthcare personnel communication about CAM was found to be approximately 5%. Conclusion CAM usage exists among patients visiting Swedish EDs and almost one in ten uses CAM on the same day as the ED visit. CAM usage is associated with demographic factors. However, communication about CAM usage with ED personnel is poor.

scholarly journals Drug Interactions with Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Dietary Supplements

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
S Basnet ◽  
P Adhikary ◽  
B Aryal
Keyword(s):  
Drug Interactions ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Dietary Supplements ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Holistic Health ◽  
Piper Methysticum ◽  
Chronic Patients ◽  
Salix Alba ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices and products that are not presently considered to be a part of conventional medicine. Primary reasons for the use are to relieve symptoms associated with chronic, even terminal illnesses or the side effects of conventional treatments or having a holistic health philosophy or cultural belief. In Nepal, the Ayurvedic system is most widespread and reasons for this had no or less side effect as well as more effective for chronic patients. Drug interactions can occur at the pharmaceutical, pharmacody­namic, or pharmacokinetic level. Herbals and dietary supplements containing St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), kava (Piper methysticum), digitalis (Digitalis purpurea), willow (Salix alba), magnesium, calcium and iron were documented to have the most interactions with individual medications. Warfarin, insulin, aspirin, digoxin, and ticlopidine had the greatest number of reported interactions with those preparations. Since, half of the Nepalese populations use CAM therapy, the healthcare professionals should pay attention towards such interactions. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmc.v3i2.8433 Journal of Chitwan Medical College Vol.3(2) 2013 1-3

Holistic Pregnancy Care: Aligning Complementary and Alternative Medicine With Midwifery Practice

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-105
Author(s):  
Helen G. Hall ◽  
Debra L. Griffiths ◽  
Lisa G. McKenna
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Pregnancy Care ◽  
Professional Ideology ◽  
Individualize Care ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

BACKGROUND:The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to manage pregnancy-related conditions is becoming increasingly popular. This article draws on a qualitative study that aimed to explain the processes midwives engaged when determining the role of these therapies for pregnancy care.METHODOLOGY:Our study used grounded theory methodology. Twenty-five midwives, who were employed in metropolitan hospitals situated in Victoria, Australia, participated in the study. Data was collected from semistructured interviews and nonparticipant observation of a subgroup over an 18-month period.RESULTS:Midwives’ attitudes and behavior toward the CAM was influenced by their professional ideology and knowledge. When participants considered the role of these therapies, they employed various strategies including aligning CAM with midwifery philosophy, using the therapies to increase women’s options, valuing diverse ways of understanding and seeking out professional knowledge.CONCLUSIONS:Although midwives do not reject conventional medicine, many value the opportunity CAM offers to individualize care and promote natural childbearing.

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