[Use of alternative and complementary therapies in clinical practice using multiple sclerosis as an example]

Area of Science:

• Integrative medicine
• Evidence-based practice
• Patient-centered care

Context:

• The distinction between complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and conventional treatments remains unclear and debated.
• Many CAM therapies lack robust evidence of effectiveness, and some pose potential health risks or incur high costs.
• CAM encompasses diverse modalities including alternative medical systems, mind-body interventions, biologically-based therapies, manipulative and body-based therapies, and energy therapies.

Purpose:

• To categorize CAM therapies and explore patient motivations for their use, particularly among individuals with multiple sclerosis.
• To highlight the challenges and potential risks associated with CAM use, especially when patients do not disclose their use to healthcare providers.
• To emphasize the critical role of healthcare providers in understanding and discussing CAM with patients.

Summary:

• Patients frequently utilize CAM without informing their physicians, driven by a desire for active participation, dissatisfaction with conventional care, or negative patient-physician relationships.
• The integration of CAM into patient care requires open communication to mitigate potential health risks and financial burdens.
• Physicians need to be knowledgeable about CAM to provide informed guidance and prevent fragmented or potentially harmful therapeutic approaches.

Impact:

• Enhances understanding of the complex landscape of CAM and its integration into patient care.
• Promotes improved patient-physician communication regarding CAM use, leading to safer and more effective healthcare.
• Informs healthcare providers about patient motivations for CAM use, enabling better-informed clinical decision-making and patient counseling.