Category Archives: Religion/ Spirituality

CAM in the US: Patterns of use

I’ve largely ignored these studies in the past, but perhaps it’s worth a second look.

To start, this 1993 study by Dr. David Eisenberg, who is now the director of Complementary and Integrative Medical Therapies at Harvard University, is considered a landmark in the field of “unconventional medicine.” Continue reading CAM in the US: Patterns of use

CAM use among cancer patients during drug trials

A key outcome of early cancer drug studies is the toxicity of a new experimental drug. The use of CAM in patients with advanced cancer might make it difficult to make this determination.

Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston, studied the prevalence of CAM use in their patients participating in experimental cancer drug treatment studies. Continue reading CAM use among cancer patients during drug trials

Spirituality and religion in healthcare: Finding common ground

Dr. Elaine Yuen is chaplain in the health care professionals program and research assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

In an editorial published in the American Journal of Medical Quality she states, “Spiritual care is integral to the science and art of healing, and therefore a critical component in the quality of care.”

She distinguishes between religion and spirituality, and (refreshingly) finds commonality as well.
Continue reading Spirituality and religion in healthcare: Finding common ground