Evidence-based practice in CAM

In practice, evidence-based medicine means integrating individual expertise with the best available scientific research.

Prof. Ernst thinks evidence-based practice is “essential for any form of health care.” But how many professional CAM societies incorporate it in their codes of ethics?

First, the details.

• Codes of ethics from the following organizations were reviewed.
  • Association of Naturopathic Practitioners
  • Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine (UK)
  • Ayurvedic Practitioners Association
  • British Acupuncture Council
  • Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council
  • European Herbal Practitioners Association
  • General Chiropractic Council
  • General Osteopathic Council
  • General Regulatory Council for Complementary Therapies
  • National Institute of Medical Herbalists
  • Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine
  • Society of Homeopaths
  • UK Healers
  • Unified Register of Herbal Practitioners

The statements referring to evidence-based practice were compared with the respective codes of British doctors and nurses.

And, the results.

• Only the General Chiropractic Council, the General Osteopathic Council and the General Regulatory Council for Complementary Therapies oblige their members to adopt evidence-based practice.

The bottom line?

Prof. Ernst concludes, “This discloses double standards in UK health care, which may compromise patient safety.”

The fact is that evidence-based medicine practice is not a priority for most CAM organizations.

Maybe I’m cynical, but even among allopathic medicine organizations it seems that political and profit considerations assume a higher priority than the day-today practice of their members. Case in point is the sweeping healthcare revisions in the US.

More on evidence-based practice is presented here, with a tutorial here.

12/24/09 12:10 JR