Discussion on Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Complementary and Alternative Medicine
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Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to a range of medical treatments or interventions that are either used together with conventional medicine (as a complementary) or instead of conventional medicine (as an alternative) (Raposo, 2019). CAM comprises healthcare approaches and interventions that are otherwise not considered as part of western standard practice. CAM involves traditional and other non-western healthcare approaches that involve the use of natural or herbal remedies.
The patient who uses CAM the most is dissatisfied with conventional medicine, expects considerable benefits from CAM, and considers CAM therapies as safe medical therapies (Tangkiatkumjai et al., 2020). Such a patient has significant knowledge about CAM and can easily access CAM therapies. Also, such a patient wants to be in control of their treatment and feels that CAM gives them considerable control (Tangkiatkumjai et al., 2020).
One of the greatest misconceptions is that CAM is safe since it involves the use of natural remedies. However, natural does not always mean safe (Bellanger et al., 2017; Micozzi, 2019). Some natural remedies may not be safe and may have serious side effects. The remedies can also be safe when used on their own, but as Raposo (2019) indicates, combining these natural remedies with other medicine, including conventional medicine, can cause serious drug interactions that threaten patient safety. There is also a misconception that CAM is ineffective as they lack a strong scientific foundation.
To include the use of CAM in patient education requires a consideration of the patient’s interests in CAM as well as their literacy level about CAM. Healthcare professionals should first obtain patients’ history on the use/lack of use of CAM (Micozzi, 2019). They should then offer informational materials about CAM and its risks and /or benefits to patients. This information should highlight the need to consult with a healthcare provider before using CAM for any given medical condition.
The safe use of CAM requires assessing the safety of each CAM remedy or product. As Bellanger et al. (2017) reveal, the safety concerns of CAM are caused by product contamination and adulteration, as well as adverse interactions arising from the use of a combination of CAM products with conventional medicine. As such, it is important to approach CAM usage on a case-to-case basis based on the patients’ medical history, health condition, and the specific CAM remedies being considered for use by specific patients.
Integration of CAM and conventional medicine would require education and training of healthcare workers on CAM therapies, communication and collaboration between CAM and conventional medicine practitioners, and the involvement of the patient in determining the conventional medicine and CAM use (Negahban et al., 2018). This is because integration would involve CAM practitioners, conventional practitioners, and the patient at the center.
Ethical theories are moral guidelines that show individuals what they should do or not do (Butts & Rich, 2020). They pr...