The Guide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine on the Internet

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lillian R. Brazin
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

scholarly journals Quality Assessment of Online Complementary and Alternative Medicine Information Resources Relevant to Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153473542110660
Author(s):  
Megan E. Sansevere ◽  
Jeffrey D. White
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Healthcare Team ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is often used by cancer patients and survivors in the US. Many people turn to the internet as their first source of information. Health information seeking through the internet can be useful for patients to gain a better understanding of specific CAM treatments to discuss with their healthcare team, but only if the information is comprehensive, high quality, and reliable. The aim of this article is to examine the content, writing/vetting processes, and visibility of cancer CAM online informational resources. Methods: Online CAM resources were identified by Google and PubMed searches, literature reviews, and through sources listed on various websites. The websites were analyzed through a modified online health information evaluation tool, DISCERN (score range = 1-5). The website’s features relevant to the quality assessment were described. Results: Eleven CAM websites were chosen for analysis. The DISCERN analysis showed a range of quality scores from 3.6 to 4.9. Lower DISCERN scores were generally due to deficiencies in describing the writing, editing, and updating processes. A lack of transparency with authorship and references was commonly present. Conclusion: Cancer patients interested in CAM need unbiased, evidence-based, reliable, high-quality, easily accessible educational materials. Individuals should use the guidelines followed in this analysis (including DISCERN and Medline Plus) to find reliable sources. Website developers can use CAM Cancer (NAFKAM), Beyond Conventional Cancer Therapies, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, breastcancer.org , Office of Dietary Supplements, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, and Cancer.gov as models for trustworthy content.

Exchange of Complementary and Alternative Medical Knowledge in Sport-Related Internet Fora

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 348-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Kimmerle ◽  
Kim-Kristin Gerbing ◽  
Ansgar Thiel ◽  
Ulrike Cress
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Medical Knowledge ◽  
Research Note ◽  
The Internet ◽  
German Speaking ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

This research note provides an explorative analysis of sport-related knowledge exchange about Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) on the Internet. Data are taken from a qualitative content analysis of the largest German-speaking Internet sport portal. Knowledge exchange about CAM in these Internet fora is characterized by the following phenomena: Users expected CAM to improve their performance and discussed a great variety of treatments based on primarily anecdotal knowledge. In addition, two main types of users (helpers and help-seekers) dominated the exchanges. The main reasons for seeking alternative medical help on the Internet were cases of prolonged illness and dissatisfaction with biomedical care.

scholarly journals Identifying Complementary and Alternative Medicine Usage Information from Internet Resources

2016 ◽  
Vol 55 (04) ◽  
pp. 322-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivekanand Sharma ◽  
John Holmes ◽  
Indra Sarkar
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Research Issues ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Media Platform ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

SummaryObjectives: Identify and highlight research issues and methods used in studying Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) information needs, access, and exchange over the Internet.Methods: A literature search was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines from PubMed to identify articles that have studied Internet use in the CAM context. Additional searches were conducted at Nature.com and Google Scholar.Results: The Internet provides a major medium for attaining CAM information and can also serve as an avenue for conducting CAM related surveys. Based on the literature analyzed in this review, there seems to be significant interest in developing methodologies for identifying CAM treatments, including the analysis of search query data and social media platform discussions. Several studies have also underscored the challenges in developing approaches for identifying the reliability of CAM-related information on the Internet, which may not be supported with reliable sources. The overall findings of this review suggest that there are opportunities for developing approaches for making available accurate information and developing ways to restrict the spread and sale of potentially harmful CAM products and information.Conclusions: Advances in Internet research are yet to be used in context of understanding CAM prevalence and perspectives. Such approaches may provide valuable insights into the current trends and needs in context of CAM use and spread.

scholarly journals Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Croatian Health Studies Students– A Single Center Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 240
Author(s):  
Tajana Doko ◽  
Ivan Salaric ◽  
Ksenija Bazdaric
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Healthy Population ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mind And Body ◽  
Health Studies ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

<p><strong>Objective. </strong>The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among healthy population and in patients with certain health conditions has been investigated in Croatia; however, no studies have been carried out among health studies students and professionals. The aim of the study was to measure the extent of CAM use among health studies students.</p><p><strong>Materials and Methods. </strong>An online survey was used to question students enrolled at the Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Croa­tia. The questionnaire entailed several parts, including sociodemographic data, frequency of use of 31 CAM methods, the source of obtaining CAM information, as well as the main reason for using CAM.</p><p><strong>Results. </strong>Seven hundred and twenty-three students were invited to take part in the survey, of whom 207 (29%) responded, mostly females (N=172; 83.1%). The median age of the respondents was 22 years. More than half of the respondents (N=113; 54.6%) were employed. The most used CAM methods were natural products, such as vitamins and minerals (93.2%), probiotics (80.7%) and herbs (78.3%). The most used mind and body practices were massages (76.3%), deep breathing (61.4%), and spirituality and prayer (56%). The main source of informa­tion on CAM was the Internet (N=151; 72.9%). Maintenance/improvement of health was the most common reason for using CAM (49.3%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion. </strong>The findings in this study suggest that the most used CAM methods among students were similar to general population; moreover, information about CAM is mostly derived from the Internet</p>

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