An Introduction to Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Healthcare Providers

PsycCRITIQUES ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen B. Schmaling ◽  
Sandi J. Lane
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

scholarly journals Collaborating with Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Providers When Writing HPV Vaccine Review Articles

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 592
Author(s):  
Michael J. Deml ◽  
Léna G. Dietrich ◽  
Bernhard Wingeier ◽  
Gisela Etter ◽  
Caesar Gallmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Hpv Vaccine ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Communication Tools ◽  
Provider Perspectives ◽  
Review Articles ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Novel strategies are needed to address vaccine hesitancy (VH), which correlates with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). In Switzerland, CAM providers play important roles in vaccine counseling of vaccine hesitant (VH) parents, and traditional vaccination messaging tends to overlook CAM provider perspectives. In the setting of a Swiss national research program on VH, our key strategy has been to work together closely with CAM providers. To assess the feasibility of generating educational human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine materials that would interest VH healthcare providers (HCPs), we invited four CAM providers to co-author two HPV vaccine review articles for general practitioners. We conducted thematic analysis of CAM provider comments to identify patterns that could complement and improve vaccination messaging from CAM perspectives. We identified several themes and generated an inventory of CAM provider messaging recommendations related to language use, presentation of background information, nuanced statements regarding HPV vaccine efficacy and safety, and communication tools that would be important to VH HCPs. Contrary to our initial expectations, and in an inclusive, respectful atmosphere of open dialogue, we were able to productively finalize our manuscripts. In the opinion of the CAM co-authors, the manuscripts effectively considered the communication needs and perspectives of VH HCPs. Engaging with CAM providers appears to be a feasible and innovative avenue for providing vaccine information and designing communication tools aimed at VH healthcare providers.

scholarly journals Gender Differences in the Prevalence of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Utilization among Adults with Arthritis in the United States

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Monira Alwhaibi ◽  
Yazed AlRuthia ◽  
Abdulkarim M. Meraya
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Functional Limitation ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
The United States ◽  
Utilization Rate ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
The Past ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Objective. To examine the association between sex and the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among adults with arthritis. Methods. Data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey on CAM use for adults with arthritis were analyzed. Five different multivariable regression models were used to examine the association between sex and CAM use after adjusting for demographics, socioeconomics, perceived health status, functional limitations, comorbid chronic conditions, body mass index, and personal health practices. Results. The number of subjects who met the eligibility criteria and were eventually included in the study was 7,919 adults with arthritis. Around half of the study sample reported ever using CAM (n = 4,055), and about 27% (n = 2,016) reported using CAM in the past 12 months. Women have a significantly higher rate of ever utilization of CAM compared to their male counterparts (62.2% vs. 37.8%) as well as CAM use over the past 12 months (66.1% vs. 33.9%). After controlling for other covariates that can potentially affect the use of CAM, women had higher odds of ever using CAM (AOR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.55–1.81) as well as the CAM use in the past 12 months (AOR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.49–1.78) compared to men. Functional limitation and multiple comorbidities were associated with CAM use among women. Conclusions. The utilization rate of CAM among women with arthritis is significantly higher compared to their male counterparts, which highlights the need to screen adults with arthritis, particularly women, for potential drug-CAM interactions. Also, practicing patient-centered care is important, which should allow the patients to discuss the potential benefits and risks of CAM use with their healthcare providers.

scholarly journals The role of pharmacists in complementary and alternative medicine in Lebanon: users’ perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamad Ali Hijazi ◽  
Hibeh Shatila ◽  
Zeina Omeich ◽  
Abdalla El-Lakany ◽  
Maha Aboul Ela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Medical History ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Abstract Background Customers’ expectations and satisfaction are critical to ensure a more effective role of the community pharmacists in promoting the safe use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). The aim of this study is to examine the perceptions and practices of customers buying their CAM products from pharmacies and explore their satisfaction with CAM-related services offered by the community pharmacists in Lebanon. Methods A national cross-sectional study was conducted among users of CAM (age > =18 years) who obtained their CAM from community pharmacies in Lebanon (n = 832). Within the proximity of the pharmacy, subjects were invited to complete a multi-component questionnaire. The latter consisted of four sections related to CAM: general beliefs, perception of pharmacists’ role, practices, satisfaction with services offered by the pharmacists. In addition, the questionnaire included questions about sociodemographic characteristics of participants. Results The majority of participants agreed to an active role of the pharmacists’ in guiding CAM use, however over half of the participants (61.3%) did not agree that the pharmacist is more knowledgeable in this field than other healthcare providers. As for practices, one in two surveyed customers (47%) did not always give feedback to their pharmacists about the outcomes after using CAM, 20% did not often ask the pharmacists about the safe and effective mode of use of the products and 28.1% did not discuss their medical history. For services offered by the pharmacist, the majority of participants reported receiving good education about the CAM product (87.1%), its side effects (87.1%) and mode of use (93.4%), while significant proportions of participants reported that pharmacists were not asking questions about their medical history before dispensing CAM products (22%) nor were they providing information on CAM-drug interactions (30%). Conclusions The results of this study highlighted important gaps between the perceptions of customers and the services they received from the pharmacists about CAM use. These findings could be used by concerned stakeholders, including public health authorities and educational bodies, to develop evidence-based interventions aimed at promoting the role of pharmacists in ensuring a safe and effective CAM use Lebanon.

scholarly journals Discovering the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Oncology Patients: A Systematic Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Fatmah Alsharif
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicines ◽  
Complementary Medicines ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Alternative Medicines ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Background. Patients with cancer pursue all possible opportunities of effective remedies. In Saudi Arabia, most patients have tried complementary medicine during their cancer treatment plan; however, some complementary medicines might pose a danger to health. In Arab countries, studies regarding the use of complementary medicines and the intentions behind using complementary medicines among cancer patients are inadequate and all but nonexistent. The aim of this review was to focus on demographic, prevalence, and reasons for complementary and alternative medicine use among patients with cancer. Methods. A rigorous literature search was conducted for articles published in the English language, using the search terms “complementary and alternative medicine,” “oncology,” “malignancy” AND “cancer patients” in five scientific databases, namely, Medical Literature On-Line (MEDLINE), PubMed, Web of Science, Psychology Information (PsycINFO), and Google Scholar, from 2010 to 2020. Results. Of the 13,160 studies returned from the search, only 12 were eligible and included in this review. The combined prevalence for using complementary and alternative medicines across all studies totaled 25%–80% of cancer patients for the treatment of their cancers. Natural products, including vitamins and minerals, herbal products, and relaxation, were the most common type of complementary and alternative medicines used. The reason for using complementary and alternative medicines was reported to be their helpfulness in recovering, healing, and improving health. Most of the studies mentioned that participants obtained their complementary and alternative medicines from multiple sources, including the media, family and friends, and physicians. Conclusion. The use of complementary and alternative medicines in cancer patients can be inferred as an attempt to investigate all possibilities, a manifestation of a coping style, or an illustration of unmet desires in the cancer management continuum. Anyhow, there should be adequate communication between healthcare providers and patients, which is crucial for establishing a trusting healthcare provider-patient relationship. Relevance to clinical practice. It is crucial that healthcare providers explore the use of complementary and alternative medicines with their cancer patients, as well as educating them about the possible usefulness of therapies based on the available evidence.

scholarly journals What Do Primary Healthcare Providers and Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practitioners in Palestine Need to Know about Exercise for Cancer Patients and Survivors: A Consensual Study Using the Delphi Technique

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramzi Shawahna ◽  
Mahmoud Al-Atrash
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Delphi Technique ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Primary Healthcare Providers ◽  
Anticancer Immunity ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Background. Exercise has physiologic and psychological benefits for cancer patients and survivors. Today, various exercises are recommended as adjunct to therapies for cancer patients and survivors. This study was conducted to develop a consensual core list of important knowledge items that primary healthcare providers and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners need to know on the role of exercises and physical activities in stimulating anticancer immunity. Methods. Knowledge items were collected following interviews with key contact experts (4 oncologists, 3 exercise and medicine specialists, 2 researchers, 2 cancer patients, and 3 survivors) and extensive literature review. The collected knowledge items were rated by 9 researchers who conducted research on exercise and cancer. A modified two-iterative Delphi technique was employed among a panel (n = 65) of healthcare providers and CAM practitioners to develop the consensual core list of knowledge items. Results. Of the 49 knowledge items, consensus was achieved on 45 (91.8%) items in 6 categories. Of those, 9 (20.0%) were general items on recommending moderate to vigorous habitual exercises and physical activities. The rest of items were related to the effects of habitual exercises and physical activities on the functions of immune system and exposure to carcinogens 16 (35.6%), anticancer therapies 12 (26.7%), metastasis of cancer 3 (6.7%), metabolism within tumors 3 (6.7%), and myokines release 2 (4.4%). Conclusion. Formal consensus was achieved for the first time on a core list of knowledge items on how exercises and physical activities might stimulate anticancer immunity. This core list might be considered at the time of developing training/educational interventions and/or continuing education for primary healthcare providers and CAM practitioners. Future studies are still needed to investigate if such consensual lists might improve congruence in cancer care continuum and improve survival rates and wellbeing of cancer patients and survivors.

scholarly journals Traditional, complementary and alternative medicine use in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. e000895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Bai James ◽  
Jon Wardle ◽  
Amie Steel ◽  
Jon Adams
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Religious Affiliation ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Negative Attitude ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Orthodox Medicine ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

BackgroundThe WHO estimates that a considerable number of people in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) rely on traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) to meet their primary healthcare needs, yet there remains a dearth of research evidence on the overall picture of TCAM utilisation in the region.MethodsWe conducted a literature search of original articles examining TCAM use in SSA between 1 January 2006 and 28 February 2017, employing Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Scopus, ProQuest, PubMed, Embase and African Journals Online databases. A critical appraisal of relevant articles reporting a quantitative or mixed-method design was undertaken.ResultsDespite the heterogeneity and general low quality of the identified literature, the review highlights a relatively high use of TCAM alone or in combination with orthodox medicine, in both general population and in specific health conditions in SSA. TCAM users compared with non-TCAM users are more likely to be of low socioeconomic and educational status, while there were inconsistencies in age, sex, spatial location and religious affiliation between TCAM users and non-TCAM users. Most TCAM users (55.8%–100%) in SSA fail to disclose TCAM use to their healthcare providers, with the main reasons for non-disclosure being fear of receiving improper care, healthcare providers’ negative attitude and a lack of enquiry about TCAM use from healthcare providers.ConclusionTCAM use in SSA is significant, although most studies emerge from a few countries. Factors associated with TCAM use in SSA are similar to those observed in other regions, but further research may be required to further elucidate challenges and opportunities related to TCAM use specific to SSA.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Investigation of the Perceptions of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Adults in Hawaiʻi

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brittany R Odegard ◽  
Mollie R Ferguson ◽  
Farah Naja ◽  
Jennifer Ayoub ◽  
Jinan Banna
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Data Saturation ◽  
Negative Perceptions ◽  
The University ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Abstract Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is defined as a group of diverse medical and healthcare practices outside of conventional medicine modalities. The use of CAM is steadily increasing despite gaps in the scientific evidence supporting its use and the challenges of its regulation and integration into conventional healthcare practices. In this context, perceptions concerning CAM become important. The purpose of this study is to identify the perceptions of CAM among adult residents of Hawaiʻi.Methods: Two researchers conducted audio-recorded interviews at the University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa (UHM) campus. Participants were over the age of 18, spoke English fluently, and self-identified as Hawaiʻi residents. Interviews were conducted to the point of data saturation and audio recordings were transcribed verbatim. Researchers collaboratively developed a codebook and used NVivo 12 to analyze transcripts. New codes were added as required. Inter-rater reliability was determined by calculating Cohen’s kappa coefficient. Key themes were identified by both researchers individually and then discussed and evaluated together.Results: Participants were mostly female, white, and affiliated with UHM. Perceptions were categorized as positive, negative, and neutral. The majority of participants had positive perceptions of CAM with few reporting negative perceptions. The positive perceptions were related to CAM’s perceived effectiveness, the desirability of CAM compared to conventional medicine, and CAM’s ability to foster well-being. Negative perceptions were attributed to the lack of scientific evidence and ineffective outcomes of CAM use. Neutral perceptions of CAM related to its safety and natural characteristics. Conclusions: The finding of this study revealed mainly positive perceptions of CAM revealed among Hawaiʻi residents. Use of CAM is on the rise despite CAM lacking empirical evidence demonstrating efficacy. With insufficient data and understanding, CAM users place themselves at risk for harmful herb-herb and herb-drug interactions. These findings have implications for healthcare providers of both conventional medicine and CAM traditions.

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