Core 1 - Complementary and Alternative Health Care Approaches

Question 1

What is Complementary and Alternate health care?

Answer 1

Complementary:
Refers to health-related treatments and services that typically fall outside the western medical tradition

Complementary
- Used in conjunction with traditional methods

Alternative
- Used in isolation from traditional methods

Question 2

What are some reasons for the growth of complementary and Alternative Health Products and Services in AUS (don’t need to know too many, just 2-3 and able to describe in slight detail)

Answer 2

• Greater globalisation
• Less acceptance of traditional medical practices
• Desire for natural / herbal remedies
• Holistic nature
• Increased multiculturalism
• Inclusion by private health insurers
• Formal qualifications
• Marketing

Question 3

What are some examples of Products and Services Available? (Both complementary and Alternative)

Answer 3

Complementary
- A physio (traditional) referring a client with pain to a Acupuncture (non-traditional) - use of a fine needle to treat various medical conditions

Alternate
- Aromatherapy: the use of aromatic plant extracts and essential oils for healing and cosmetic (solely non-traditional)

Question 4

How can a customer make informed choices?

Answer 4

Through asking a range of questions:
Important to investigate service by asking
- What do reputable sources say about it?
- What is the treatment on offer?
- Is there a professional association?
- Qualification of the practitioner
- Is evidence it works
- Costs
- Can it be used with conventional medicine?

Important to also evaluate after use
- Is it what I thought?
- Is health improving?
- Do I still need it/ can afford it?
- Is there a better option?

(note: don’t memorise all questions, maybe ones on syllabus, but just know generally it’s all about ‘investigating and asking informative questions’)