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Complementary and alternative medicine. Considering the alternatives.

D O Weber1

  • 1doweber@msn.org

Physician Executive
|June 3, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is gaining acceptance in the U.S. despite safety and efficacy questions. Increased government interest and funding are driving research into these unorthodox therapies.

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Area of Science:

  • Integrative Medicine
  • Health Services Research

Background:

  • Alternative, complementary, and unconventional therapies are increasingly recognized despite lacking full scientific validation.
  • Surveys show a significant portion of Americans utilize these practices, indicating a growing trend.
  • The establishment of the National Institutes of Health's Office of Alternative Medicine has boosted CAM's credibility and research interest.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the growing mainstream acceptance of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
  • To highlight the increasing patient utilization and market spending on CAM modalities.
  • To discuss the implications of CAM's integration into conventional healthcare systems.

Main Methods:

  • Review of survey data on CAM usage in the U.S.
  • Analysis of national spending estimates for complementary and alternative medicine.
  • Examination of the impact of governmental initiatives, such as the Office of Alternative Medicine.

Main Results:

  • A substantial percentage of Americans use CAM, with estimates ranging from under 10% to 40%.
  • Annual national spending on CAM is estimated to be as high as $14 billion.
  • Governmental support has increased research and credibility for CAM.

Conclusions:

  • CAM therapies are achieving mainstream respectability, challenging traditional medical paradigms.
  • Physicians and health systems may benefit from integrating CAM by offering wider patient choices and accessing a lucrative market.
  • Further research is needed to address efficacy and safety concerns surrounding CAM practices.

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