27Oct
(NewsFix) A survey shows that people who use complementary medicine are not dissatisfied with the traditional approach.
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), which includes acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal remedies and massage, is used by an increasing number of people. Researchers at the Centre for Alternative Medicine Research and Education at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre in the US surveyed 831 CAM users and found that most people were also still seeing a traditional doctor.
It seemed that the combination of CAM and traditional medicine was seen as more effective than either used alone. CAM was seen as helpful for headache, back and neck conditions, while the conventional approach was preferred for high blood pressure.
But most of those surveyed did not tell their doctor about their use of CAM. The most common reason for this was that they didn’t think the doctor needed to know, or that the doctor didn’t ask about it. One third said it was not the doctor’s business and 20 per cent thought the doctor wouldn’t understand. Only 14 per cent were afraid their physician would disapprove.
The survey suggests that patients no longer see their physician as their sole health care provider. He or she is, rather, one of a team. The other members of the team could include acupuncturists, herbalists and so on. What seems strange is that it’s rare for any members of this team to communicate with one another!
