"Alternative Medicine for Alternative Depression": Claimsmaking, Counterknowledge, and Complementary and Alternative Medicine

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tami Oliphant
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Discursive Strategies ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
Médecine Complémentaire ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Depressives often use both CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) and conventional medicine to treat their depression. However, the use of CAM often contested as certain therapies are considered by some to be counterknowledge. Using data collected from the messages posted to three online newsgroups, I have analyzed how people use information and discursive strategies to build-up or undermine accounts justifying CAM use or non-use.Les personnes souffrant de dépression font souvent appel à la médecine complémentaire et alternative (MCA) et à la médecine conventionnelle pour traiter leur dépression. Malheureusement, certaines thérapies dites alternatives sont souvent considérés par certains comme étant de la désinformation. À l'aide de données recueillies sur trois forums de discussion en ligne, j'ai analysé comment les gens utilisent l'information et des stratégies discursives pour justifier ou réfuter les arguments visant l'utilisation ou la non-utilisation de la MCA.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine/Integrative Medicine Approaches

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalpana D. Shere-Wolfe
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
Alternative Medications ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not currently considered part of conventional medicine. If a non-mainstream practice is used together with conventional medicine, it is considered “complementary.” If a non-mainstream practice is used in place of conventional medicine, it is considered “alternative.” Many patients use CAM approaches to their care. Often, patients do not disclose what methods they are using, and providers may have little knowledge of the effects of alternative medications. Interactions with antiretroviral therapy and other medications are important to the care of the patient. Physicians need to routinely ask about CAM use, particularly herbal medicines and supplements.

scholarly journals Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among emergency department (ED) patients in Sweden

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny M Carlsson ◽  
Madelene Vestin ◽  
Kristofer Bjerså
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Abstract Background It has been suggested that the combination of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with conventional medicine carries a risk of adverse effects. The prevalence of CAM usage among patients in the Swedish emergency department (ED) is unknown. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate CAM use among visiting patients at a Swedish ED. Method A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed between August and October 2016 at an ED in Sweden. The questionnaire included 16 items regarding CAM use, factors associated with CAM use and patient healthcare communication and was distributed to 1600 patients. Results A total of 1029 questionnaires was returned (RR 64.3%). Current CAM use was reported by 7.9%, during the last year by 38.0%, and within lifetime by 72.9%. Factors associated with CAM use were: being a woman, middle-aged, in full-time employment, with secondary education level, higher use of non-prescription drugs and lower use of prescription drugs. Patient healthcare personnel communication about CAM was found to be approximately 5%. Conclusion CAM usage exists among patients visiting Swedish EDs and almost one in ten uses CAM on the same day as the ED visit. CAM usage is associated with demographic factors. However, communication about CAM usage with ED personnel is poor.

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Dermatology Outpatients

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 570-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalid M. AlGhamdi ◽  
Huma Khurrum ◽  
Sahar H. Al-Natour ◽  
Waleed Alghamdi ◽  
Thamer Mubki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Common Belief ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Background: Little is known about the prevalence and practice of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among dermatology patients in the Arab world. The aim of this study was to determine knowledge and attitudes about CAM, prevalence of its use, reasons for its use, and types of CAM used in dermatology patients in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a national survey of various regions of Saudi Arabia. In this cross-sectional study, dermatology outpatients were interviewed using a questionnaire. Sociodemographic characteristics, acceptability, utilization pattern, and reasons for CAM use were elicited. Dermatology life quality index (DLQI) was obtained. Results: Overall, 1901 patients returned complete questionnaires out of 2500 distributed (76% response rate). Of these, 808 (40%) were CAM users, and the majority were woman (55.1%), with a mean age of 31.6 ± 12 years. Most were literate (71.2%) and just over half were married (51.9%). Patients with acute skin diseases were found to be more likely to use CAM ( P = .027). The mean DLQI score was higher (worse quality of life) among CAM users than among nonusers ( P = .002). The results showed that 315 of 801 (40%) and 250 of 601 (30%) CAM users agreed that CAM methods are safer and more effective than modern medicine, respectively, and 83% will continue to use CAM in future. The most commonly used CAM modalities were vitamins, prayers, natural products, and herbs. Responses indicated that 379 of 803 (47.2%) CAM users did not consult their doctor before using CAM, and 219 of 743 (30%) did not obtain sufficient answers regarding CAM use from their dermatologists. Conclusions: There is a significant use of CAM among dermatology outpatients in Saudi Arabia. In view of the common belief that CAM has fewer side effects than conventional medicine, dermatologists need to increase their awareness of CAM.

scholarly journals Patterns of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use, Perceived Benefits, and Adverse Effects among Adult Users in Enugu Urban, Southeast Nigeria

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ijeoma Okoronkwo ◽  
Jane-lovena Onyia-pat ◽  
Pat Okpala ◽  
Mary-Ann Agbo ◽  
Afam Ndu
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Major Route ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is now on the increase. Evidence from studies carried out globally has established that CAM use is very common and varies among populations. This study investigated patterns of CAM use, perceived benefits, and associated harm with CAM use among adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted in three local government areas of Enugu urban, Southeast Nigeria. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from all consenting adult participants aged between 18 and 65 years. Of the 732 participants interviewed, 62.8% were females while 37.2% were males. Majority (84.7%) of the participants had used CAM at one time or another. The most commonly used CAM product was the biological products, followed by spiritual therapy. The major route of administration for CAM products was oral and about 40% of the participants combined CAM with conventional medicine. Majority (78.6%) of CAM users benefited from CAM products after using them while a few complained of adverse reactions. As CAM is gaining widespread acceptance and use, there is need for clinical trial on the benefits and adverse effects associated with the use of CAM to facilitate proof of efficacy and safety of the products.

scholarly journals Attitudes underlying reliance on complementary and alternative medicine

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Szilvia Zörgő ◽  
Gjalt - Jorn Ygram Peters ◽  
Samvel Mkhitaryan
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Intervention Development ◽  
Medical Systems ◽  
Specific Level ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
The One ◽  
Threatening Situation ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Objective: We aimed to map attitudes underlying complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use, especially those involved in “dysfunctional CAM reliance”, that is, foregoing biomedical treatment in a life-threatening situation in favor of alternative treatment. Analyses of modifiable determinants of CAM use were conducted at a sufficiently specific level to inform intervention development.Methods: We collected usable data on CAM-related attitudinal beliefs from 151 participants in Budapest with varying degrees of CAM use, which we analyzed using Confidence Interval-Based Estimation of Relevance plots.Results: Although there were beliefs which the entire sample shared, there was a marked difference between the biomedical and CAM groups. These differences were beliefs concerning trust in various medical systems; the level of importance assigned to emotions in falling ill; and vitalism or Eastern concepts. Regarding CAM users in general, the most successful intervention targets are beliefs in vitalism on the one hand, and distrust in biomedicine on the other. In addressing dysfunctional CAM use specifically, the most significant beliefs pertain to “natural” cures and reliance on biomedical testing.Conclusions: Albeit much research has been carried out on the motivations behind CAM use, rarely do studies treat complementary and alternative CAM users separately in order to scrutinize patterns of non-conventional medicine use and underlying cognition. This is the first study to begin pinpointing specific attitudes involved in dysfunctional CAM use to inform future intervention development. Such interventions would be essential for the prevention of incidents and mortality.

scholarly journals Potential factors that influence usage of complementary and alternative medicine worldwide: a systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayuree Tangkiatkumjai ◽  
Helen Boardman ◽  
Dawn-Marie Walker
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Common Factor ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Pilot Studies ◽  
Perceived Safety ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Abstract Objectives To determine similarities and differences in the reasons for using or not using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) amongst general and condition-specific populations, and amongst populations in each region of the globe. Methods A literature search was performed on Pubmed, ScienceDirect and EMBASE. Keywords: ‘herbal medicine’ OR ‘herbal and dietary supplement’ OR ‘complementary and alternative medicine’ AND ‘reason’ OR ‘attitude’. Quantitative or qualitative original articles in English, published between 2003 and 2018 were reviewed. Conference proceedings, pilot studies, protocols, letters, and reviews were excluded. Papers were appraised using valid tools and a ‘risk of bias’ assessment was also performed. Thematic analysis was conducted. Reasons were coded in each paper, then codes were grouped into categories. If several categories reported similar reasons, these were combined into a theme. Themes were then analysed using χ2 tests to identify the main factors related to reasons for CAM usage. Results 231 publications were included. Reasons for CAM use amongst general and condition-specific populations were similar. The top three reasons for CAM use were: (1) having an expectation of benefits of CAM (84% of publications), (2) dissatisfaction with conventional medicine (37%) and (3) the perceived safety of CAM (37%). Internal health locus of control as an influencing factor was more likely to be reported in Western populations, whereas the social networks was a common factor amongst Asian populations (p < 0.05). Affordability, easy access to CAM and tradition were significant factors amongst African populations (p < 0.05). Negative attitudes towards CAM and satisfaction with conventional medicine (CM) were the main reasons for non-use (p < 0.05). Conclusions Dissatisfaction with CM and positive attitudes toward CAM, motivate people to use CAM. In contrast, satisfaction with CM and negative attitudes towards CAM are the main reasons for non-use.

An Overview of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

2017 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Annalisa Casarin ◽  
Mayuree Tangkiatkumjai ◽  
Dawn-Marie Walker
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Mechanism Of Action ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Placebo Effects ◽  
Cam Mechanism ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

A treatment that is not recognised as conventional medicine is frequently referred to as part of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) methods. This Chapter will provide an overview of the several CAM definitions currently proposed and the types of CAM methods. The prevalence of CAM use and the characteristics and attitudes of CAM users will be also explored with a focus on patients with kidney diseases. The reasons for CAM use and the literature on the placebo effects as a debated hypothesis of CAM mechanism of action is presented.

scholarly journals Are Users of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Sicker than Non-Users?

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Shmueli ◽  
Judith Shuval
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Health Differences ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Health Domains ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Higher utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), both in cross-sections and over time, is commonly related to better socioeconomic status and to increased dissatisfaction with conventional medicine and its values. Little is known about health differences between users and non-users of CAM. The objective of the paper is to explore the difference in health measured by the SF-36 instrument between users and non-users of CAM, and to estimate the relative importance of the SF-36 health domains scales to the likelihood of consulting CAM providers. Interviews were used to collect information from a sample of 2000 persons in 1993 and 2500 persons in 2000, representing the Israeli Jewish urban population aged 45–75 in those years. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were used to explore the above associations. The results show that while users of CAM enjoy higher socioeconomic status and younger age, they tend to report worse health than non-users on the eight SF-36 health domains scales in both years. However, controlling for personal characteristics, lower scores on the bodily pain, role-emotional and vitality scales are related to greater likelihood of CAM use in 2000. In 1993, no scale had a significant adjusted association with the use of CAM. The conclusions are that CAM users tend to report worse health. With CAM becoming a mainstream, though somewhat luxurious, medical practice, pain and affective-emotional distress are the main drivers of CAM use.

scholarly journals The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Is Less Frequent in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Than in Patients with Other Chronic Gastrointestinal Disorders

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Fábián ◽  
Mariann Rutka ◽  
Tamás Ferenci ◽  
Renáta Bor ◽  
Anita Bálint ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ulcerative Colitis ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Gastrointestinal Diseases ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Lifestyle Modifications ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Background and Aims. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is commonly used among patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), but evidence about its real-life use is limited. We aimed to assess and compare CAM use in outpatients with IBD and other gastrointestinal diseases. Materials and Methods. The use of herbs and botanicals, lifestyle modifications and mind/body therapies, patient satisfaction, and continuous use of conventional medicine were assessed with an anonymous questionnaire at a tertiary IBD unit in Hungary. 396 IBD patients (207 with Crohn’s disease, 185 with ulcerative colitis, and 4 with indeterminate colitis) and 164 patients with gastric acid-related diseases, premalignant and malignant colorectal diseases, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, dysbacteriosis, and so on were included. Results. IBD patients reported significantly lower usage of herbs than did controls (25% versus 42%, p<0.001). More than 90% of responding IBD patients continued conventional medication besides herbal remedies (83% in unaltered doses). IBD patients were more likely to implement lifestyle modifications (77% versus 63%, p=0.0011), but not body/mind therapies (20% versus 15%, p=0.1516). Younger age was a significant predictor of lifestyle modifications (p=0.0246). Conclusions. CAM use (especially that of herbal remedies) in IBD is less frequent than that in other gastrointestinal diseases. It is more a complementary than an alternative to conventional medicine in IBD. There is no significant difference between CAM use in patients with Crohn’s disease and that in patients with ulcerative colitis, although the latter tend to choose herbs; the benefit of which is supported by scientific evidence. This study is registered at the Medical Research Council, Hungary. This trial is registered with 3769/2010/1018EKU.

An Overview of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Annalisa Casarin ◽  
Mayuree Tangkiatkumjai ◽  
Dawn-Marie Walker
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Mechanism Of Action ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Placebo Effects ◽  
Cam Mechanism ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

A treatment that is not recognised as conventional medicine is frequently referred to as part of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) methods. This Chapter will provide an overview of the several CAM definitions currently proposed and the types of CAM methods. The prevalence of CAM use and the characteristics and attitudes of CAM users will be also explored with a focus on patients with kidney diseases. The reasons for CAM use and the literature on the placebo effects as a debated hypothesis of CAM mechanism of action is presented.

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