LEC 6: Complementary & Alternative Medicine

Question 1

Complementary Medicine

Answer 1

Therapies often used alongside of biomedical system/interventions

Question 2

What are the most common forms of complementary medicines?

Answer 2

• Diet/nutriton
• Mind-body
• Manual
• Pharmacological-biological
• Herbal/plant bases

Question 3

Alternative Medicine

Answer 3

Independent healing systems or interventions outside of biomedical theory/practice

Question 4

Biomedical

Answer 4

Western/Islamic science-based system

Question 5

Traditional Medicine

Answer 5

Healing systems/therapies from a particular cultural/ethnic/religious background

Question 6

How is complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) not seen globally?

Answer 6

May be seen as the traditional “health system” in many cultures
- Changing and frequently exists alongside biomedical treatments (surgery, cancer treatments, accidents etc.)

Question 7

How are (W) holistic health systems a way to maintain balanced health?

Answer 7

1. India: Ayurveda system
   - Body types = health interventions
2. China: Traditional Chinese medicine
   - Energy flow/balance
3. Indigenous: Herbal medicines, psycho-spiritual healing
   * Lifestyle-focused and long-term maintenance

Question 8

Use of CAM in Canada

Answer 8

1. 79% of Canadians have used some sort of CAM at least once in their lives
2. 56% of Canadians have used CAM at least once in the previous year

Question 9

What province is most likely to use CAM?

Answer 9

BC is most likely

- 89%

Question 10

What province is least likely to use CAM?

Answer 10

Quebec least likely

- 69%

Question 11

What are the four most commonly used CAM?

Answer 11

• Message: 44%
• Chiropractic car: 42%
• Yoga: 27%
• Relaxation technique: 25%

Question 12

CAM is most likely to be used between what age groups?

Answer 12

Most users of CAM are between 35 to 44 years

- 61%

Question 13

How much of CAM is covered/ people spend per year?

Answer 13

Users spent $8.6 billion on CAM

• Most CAM in Canada may not be covered
• Usually the main CAM that gets covered is message and chiropractic care

Question 14

What are the three impacts of CAM?

Answer 14

1. Safety: Many treatments not tested/safe/proven
   - Ayurveda: heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic) found in 22% of formations
2. Science: Lack of high-quality science, pseudoscience
   - Most studies on CAM not well designed, nor replicable
3. Beliefs: Links to mind and belief systems/psychology
   - “Placebo effect” common n ALL medical systems
   - Can be as high as 50% effect

Question 15

Tim Caulfield

Answer 15

Researches public health vs media

• Focuses lately on impacts of celebrity culture and media on public health messaging, rise of anti-science, anti-data
• Uses very biomedical, science/data-based approach
• Has very vocal detractors who use CAM

Question 16

Time Caulfield: Vedio

Answer 16

Thoughts

• Frustrating/ depressing that people believe more what celebrities are saying then the scientific data
• Cause for concern, people are not trusting/ listening to people with science/ medical background

Impacts

• Less likely to trust RNs, Drs, healthcare professionals etc.
• More likely to relive the celebrities they are following
• Issues relating to the interpersonal; need to build that trust with your patient and keep the door open
• Do not rush to judgment, otherwise the patient will shut the door quickly to communicaiton
• A lot of issues with trust and who to listen to regarding your health

Question 17

Legal Aspect: Treatment Safety

Answer 17

May not be safe/ethical for client

- Much CAM not studied/tested or data is questionable

Question 18

Legal Aspect: Drug Safety

Answer 18

Non-standardized doses, not tested for safety or efficacy, not approved or banned as harmful

Question 19

Legal Aspect: Licensed Practitioners

Answer 19

Training may be good, minimal or non-existent

- May not be professionally regulated

Question 20

Legal Aspect: Costs/ Payments

Answer 20

May (not) be covered by insurance

Question 21

Working with Clients & CAM

Answer 21

1. Be open to the conversation with the client
   - They often won’t walk with physicians about this
2. Listen to what they have to say and ask curious questions
   - Work with their views to find out more
3. Withhold judgment as much as you can
   - Doesn’t mean you have to agree with them
4. Get to the “why” they are using/ want to use this
   - The “why” will tell you what’s really going on/wrong

Question 22

Questions/things to think about/ask when working with clients & CAM

Answer 22

1. Will this help or harm the client? Or do nothing?
   - If harm: should engage client and intervene
   - Minors: more serious, typically more risk than adults
2. Risk-benefit assessment with client may be needed
   - Can be deadly interactions or preventable deaths
3. Difficult conversation to have with client/family
   - Be neutral and work towards finding out the “why”
   - Take the emotion and judgment out of the conversation

Question 23

As an RN what can you do?

Answer 23

1. Learn more about the types/uses of CAM
   - Use a client-specific approach
   - Not everyone of same culture uses the same thing
2. Create the space for the clients to talk
   - There is always a WHY- can open up better outcomes