cq3; complementary and alternative health care Flashcards
what are some types of CAM?
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractors
- Aromatherapy
- Chinese herbal medicine
- Massage
What is Acupuncture?
Involves inserting needles into skin (complementary)
What is Chiropractic?
Adjustments are made to the spine to realign correct body function (complementary)
What is Aromatherapy?
Use of pure essential oils to influence the mind, body or spirit (complementary)
What is Chinese herbal medicine?
A type of medicine that was originated in china that uses roots, stems, leaves, flowers, or seeds of plants to improve health, prevent disease, and treat illness.
What is Massage?
Massage is the rubbing or kneading of the body’s soft tissues, generally for the treatment of body stress or pain.
What are the reasons for growth in complementary and alternate services?
- Recognition of the WHO
- Recommended by GPs
- Can be used complementary
- Increased multiculturalism in AUS
- Bupa reccomendations
How is “Recognition of the WHO” a reason for growth in complementary and alternate services?
It has majorly increased the popularity of alternative services.
e.g. in 1974 WHO declared through evidence on acupuncture’s ability to cure 23 illnesses → 80% of countries recognised the use of acupuncture as a health service.
How is “Recommended by GPs” a reason for growth in complementary and alternate services?
Due to the recognition of effectiveness by the WHO, these services were increasingly recommended by general practitioners.
e.g. GPs recommended the use of chiropractors along with use of medication to treat back injuries.
How is “Can be used complementary” a reason for growth in complementary and alternate services?
Conventional medicine can be used complementary with CAM allowing the user optimal treatment
e.g. aromatherapy can be used along chemotherapy to reduce the stress of the harsh chemicals.
How is “Increased multiculturalism in AUS” a reason for growth in complementary and alternate services?
Due to the increase in multiculturalism in Australia it has brought insight into CAM such as Chinese herbal medicine.
e.g. during the 1850s gold rush it brought chinese migrants who were medical practitioners that promoted chinese herbal medicine which by the 1900s was popular.
How are “Private health insurers” a reason for growth in complementary and alternate services?
Private health insurers such as Bupa have recognised massage sessions in their ancillary benefits, providing it credibility.
What should consumers take into account in order to make informed consumer choices?
- Cost
- Credibility
- Research
How does a consumer take research into account to make informed consumer choices?
- Research should be taken from credible sources (e.g. websites that end with .org, .gov, .edu) or through GPs (some may be biased) and NOT from sources such as Wikipedia, social media or word of mouth from members
- Research can provide consumers with enough information to make an informed judgement on whether or not to use alternate treatments
How does a consumer take cost into account to make informed consumer choices?
- The cost of a product may determine the quality of treatment
- Should compare costs of different CAM and choose a balance between quality and cost to achieve quality treatment of optimum prices
- Some alternate health services may be covered by healthcare (private) as ancillary benefits
