| Themes of holism, empowerment, access, and legitimacy define complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine in relation to conventional biomedicine. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 14736364 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been defined largely in relation to conventional biomedicine. CAM therapies that are used instead of conventional medicine are termed "alternative." CAM therapies used alongside conventional medicine are said to be "complementary." "Integrative medicine" results from the thoughtful incorporation of concepts, values, and practices from alternative, complementary, and conventional medicines. The evolving process of integration between CAM and conventional medicine evokes new conceptual frameworks, as well as new terminology. Interview-based qualitative research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison seeks to probe and develop this theoretical structure. Interviews with users and practitioners of CAM therapies have revealed four primary themes: holism, empowerment, access, and legitimacy (HEAL). These themes characterize CAM and contrast it with conventional medicine. CAM is said to be more holistic and empowering yet less legitimate than conventional medicine. CAM is more intuitive; conventional is more deductive. While CAM is perhaps more psychologically accessible to many patients in that it better reflects commonly held values, it is often less financially and institutionally accessible, at least for those with conventional health insurance and limited income. Substantive barriers--including economic, organizational and scientific differences, as well as an apparent widespread lack of understanding--continue to thwart attempts at integration. More and better evidence is needed if CAM therapies are to be accepted by mainstream medicine. State-of-the-art research methods developed by conventional science will be needed to test CAM therapies. Conventional medicine, however, has much to learn from CAM. By incorporating a more holistic, empowering and accessible therapeutic approach, conventional medicine could build on its present legitimacy, and thereby enhance its power to "HEAL." |
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Authors:
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Bruce Barrett; Lucille Marchand; Jo Scheder; Mary Beth Plane; Rob Maberry; Diane Appelbaum; David Rakel; David Rabago |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Review |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) Volume: 9 ISSN: 1075-5535 ISO Abbreviation: J Altern Complement Med Publication Date: 2003 Dec |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2004-01-22 Completed Date: 2004-05-25 Revised Date: 2005-11-16 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 9508124 Medline TA: J Altern Complement Med Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 937-47 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Family Medicine, University of Wisconsin Medical School, 777 South Mills, Madison, WI 53715, USA. bbarrett@fammed.wisc.edu |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Attitude to Health Complementary Therapies* / methods, standards Delivery of Health Care, Integrated* Evidence-Based Medicine* / methods, standards Health Services Accessibility Holistic Health* Humans Patient-Centered Care Qualitative Research United States |
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