Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Paper Summary:

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies including traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, aromatherapy, homeopathy and naturopathy have gained considerable popularity in recent years. This essay examines why many patients have chosen CAM therapies in preference to western medicine. The writer first defines CAM and then analyzes some of the reasons why CAM is preferred to modern medicine. This is then followed by a discussion of the risks and benefits of CAM and the need for regulation of complementary and alternative medicine.

From the Paper:

"Although CAM has benefits, there is not much research on their safety and efficacy or the existing research is of poor quality. CAM has numerous direct and indirect risks. CAM also is poorly regulated and many CAM practioners are not adequately trained. Although modern medicine is not exact and has its pitfalls, the fact remains that it is well researched and based on extensive and good quality clinical trials. The exact properties, benefits, and side effects of allopathic medicine are well-documented. Therefore, although some patients may choose CAM over modern medicine, CAM should be used only as an adjunct or when all other modalities of treatment have failed."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Astin, J.A. 1998. Why patients use alternative medicine. J Am Med Assoc. 279: 1548-1553.
• Cherniack, P. 2003 Alternative Medicine for the Elderly. Springer.
• Furnham, A and J. Forey. 1994. The attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs of patients of conventional vs complementary alternative medicine. J Clin Psychol. 50: 458-469.
• Ferrell, B and N.Coyle. 2006. Textbook of Palliative Nursing. Oxford University Press.
• House of Lords. Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Science and Technology, Sixth Report. Retrieved November 26, 2008 from, www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199900/ldselect/ldstech/123/12.

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