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Looking for common ground between CAM and mainstream medicine

JR

The purpose of this survey was to develop suggestions for actions that might foster closer communication between mainstream (MM) and CAM practitioners.

There were 14 panel members.

  • 3 Internal medicine physicians (one was also a homeopath)
  • 1 Family practice physician
  • 2 Psychiatrists
  • 1 Psychologist
  • 2 Acupuncturists
  • 2 Chiropractors
  • 2 Massage therapists
  • 1 Naturopath

4 identified themselves as MM, 4 as integrative (IM) and 6 as CAM practitioners.

Areas of agreement.

  • Patients should be active participants in their care.
  • Practitioners should negotiate with patients so both understand the treatment and goals — patients are partners in the process of health.
  • Involve patients in the healing process.

Suggestions least appealing or least likely to be implemented.

  • Define healing in ways specific to patients rather than using normal as a benchmark
  • Relying on computer information systems and Internet-based patient records to improve communication
  • Have IM practitioners serve as a bridge between MM and CAM providers.

The bottom line?
I didn’t find anything surprising. You can read the entire article here.

4/30/07 19:41 JR

Hi, I’m JR

John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

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