Alternative Medicine

Term Paper # 101442

Medical and Health

This paper explores the field of alternative medicine.

1,360 words () | 4 sources | APA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper explains the differences between alternative medicine and complimentary medicine and discusses the widespread creation of fraudulent "cures" that exist across the globe. The paper discusses government regulation and the varying structures of alternative medical practices. The paper looks at the challenges facing the alternative medicine field and concludes that scientific research will aid in changing the many negative opinions of physicians and their patients.

Outline:
Overview
Analysis of Health Service Setting
Challenges

From the Paper:

"Alternative medicine can be defined as medicine that is outside of the realm of traditional medical practices, but that is safe a proven to be effective ("What Is", 2006, sec. 2). Alternative medicine is different than complimentary medicine in that alternative medicine is used instead of traditional practices, while complementary medicine in used in conjunction with traditional practices. In some cases, however, alternative medicine can also be considered as complementary medicine. This has been especially true in relation to Chinese Traditional Medicine. An example of this could be the use of acupuncture by a cancer patient that is undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, but that uses acupuncture as a means of reducing the pain or discomfort associated with the treatments. Yet, acupuncture itself can be used as an alternative medicine for many patients that desire to undergo this type of whole body treatment in place of traditional medical practices."

Sample of Sources Used:

Tovey, P. (2002). Complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) and the care of patients with cancer. NHSRD. Retrieved January 6, 2007, from http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/ResearchAndDevelopment/ResearchAndDevelopmentAZ/NationalNHSRDFunding/NationalNHSRDFundingArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4032132&chk=WEtKt0
Town hall. (n.d.). National Health Village. Retrieved January 6, 2006, from http://naturalhealthline.com/townhall/townhall.html
Use of complementary and alternative medicine in the United States, The. (2004). National Council for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine. Retrieved January 6, 2007, from http://nccam.nih.gov/news/camsurvey_fs1.htm#spend
What is complimentary and alternative medicine? (2006). National Institutes of Health. Retrieved January 6, 2007, from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam/