Without a doubt, the progress of modern medicine could be deemed miraculous, but current treatments cannot cure every ailment or disorder. In the face of many problems, ranging from routine to terminal illness, CAM is a very real option. Complementary and alternative medicine has been defined as “diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention which complements mainstream medicine by contributing to a common whole, by satisfying a demand not met by orthodoxy or by diversifying the conceptual frame works of medicine.” This term covers a tremendous umbrella for various treatments and methods, running the gambit from using bee pollen to help with allergies, to entirely different medical systems like those of traditional Chinese or Ayurvedic medicine.
Think everyone believes CAM is completely unreliable? Data obtained from the 2007 adult CAM supplement and components of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), with a sample of 20,710 people, illustrated results on CAM usage from adults both with and without functional limitations, which are indicative of a range of disabilities. Adults with functional limitations utilized CAM more frequently, with 48.7% against 35.4% of those without. Though those without functional limitations tended to use CAM less, the percentage of those that utilize CAM is still a considerable amount.
It’s not difficult to see why these methods might be preferred. One is not simply limited to what some would deem a reductive medical system, health care aside, but can explore healing in difference aspects. CAM may be better for patients psychologically and provide a preferred patient-provider relationship. Unfortunately, the main issues with CAM involve the lack of concrete research involved with the efficacy of many of its techniques, as well as other problems such as misdiagnosing and believing that since a treatment may be “all natural,” there exist no harmful side effects.
It’s already more appealing.
What do physicians think about CAM? On one side a recent report showed 72% of those seeing alternative practitioners did not inform their physician they were doing so. However, in a survey of 594 U.S. family physicians, 44% believed faith healers and physicians could work together to cure some patients, while 23% believed that faith healers heal some patients whom physicians are unable to help. Dr. Arlan Cohn points out about the subject, “Alternative therapists are absolutely sure of their methods, where a doctor has a talmudic skepticism about his or her methods.”
In regards to physician sensitivity and awareness of CAM, the teaching of these methods has increased in medical schools over the years. From data collected from questionnaires in 2002 mailed to 74 U.S. medical schools, the topics most often taught are acupuncture (76.7%), herbs and botanicals (69.9%), meditation and relaxation (65.8%), spirituality/faith/prayer (64.4%), chiropractic (60.3%), homeopathy (57.5%), and nutrition and diets (50.7%). Typically, these courses were taught as electives, most likely in the first or fourth year of schooling. As one might expect, in the year 2004, 18 out of 19 osteopathic medical schools taught CAM, with similar teachings as those reported in allopathic schools.
Despite the perceived limitations of CAM, many have been using its methods in some fashion to supplement their health and ultimately, it will only gain in popularity. CAM as a major component of the U.S.’s health was recognized by NIH in 1991 when the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) was established, initially as the Office of Alternative Medicine, to “build the evidence base used to make decisions about whether Cam treatments are safe and effective.” According to the 2007 NHIS, adults in the U.S. spent an estimated $33.9 billion out-of-pocket on CAM treatments during the past year, with $22.0 billion on self-care costs and the remaining $11.9 billion on visits to practitioners. Some health care companies do recognize the use of CAM, accounting for approximately 1.5% of health care expenditures. If coverage is provided, typically it has been for chiropractic care, acupuncture, and massage. What is of utmost importance is collecting viable data on CAM and to ensure that those who utilize it are informed of the possible detriments of whichever method they are using. In the end, as with any kind of treatment, it’s up to the patient to make those choices.
Sources
- Okoro, C et al. Use of complementary and alternative medicine among US adults with and without functional limitations. Jan 2012. Disability and Rehabilitation. Vol 34 (2): 128-135. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2011.591887
- Ernst, E. The Role of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Nov 2000. BMJ: British Medical Journal. Vol 321 (7269): 1133-1135. http://www.jstor.org/stable/25226100
- Ernst, E. and Fugh-Berman, A. Education: Complementary and Alternative Medicine: What is it All About? Feb 2002. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Vol. 5 (2): 140-144. http://www.jstor.org/stable/27731640
- Paying for CAM Treatment. NCCAM of the NIH. Last Updated July 2011. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/financial
- Brokaw, JJ et al. The teaching of complementary and alternative medicine in U.S. medical schools: a survey of course directors. Sep 2002. Acad. Med. 77 (9): 876-81.
- Saxon, DW et al. Status of complementary and alternative medicine in the osteopathic medical school curriculum. Mar 2004. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 104 (3): 121-6.
- Wall, Alexandra. “World’s Best Doctor’ essayist excises humor from pain.” July 2001. jweekly.com. 12 July 2013.
———————————————-
Personally, I love learning about this topic, especially as someone hoping to become a physician, specifically a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), someday. Which reminds me…I’m not sure why I haven’t written an article on what a D.O. is, since 99% of the people I talk to I have to explain what the difference is with a traditional M.D. This observation may vary for you depending on where you live.
a happy delusion to see us through 