Models of Medicine

Question 1

Define complementary and alternative medicine (as a single category).

Answer 1

A broad set of healthcare practices that are not part of that country’s own tradition and are not integrated into the dominant health care system. (WHO)

Question 2

What is integrative medicine?

Answer 2

Healing-oriented medicine that takes account of the whole person, including all aspects of lifestyle

Question 3

What is the difference between complementary and alternative medicine (when considered as separate categories)?

Answer 3

• When a non-mainstream practice is used together with conventional medicine, it is complementary.
• When a non-mainstream practice is used instead of conventional medicine, it is alternative.

Question 4

List 2 factors that facilitate the growth of interest in and use of complementary and alternative medicine.

Answer 4

1 - Popular dissatisfaction with orthodox medicine.

2 - Widespread availability and access to health information.

Question 5

List 4 alternative medicines.

Answer 5

1 - Mind-body therapies.

2 - Natural products.

3 - Manipulative and body-based methods (e.g. chiropractic).

4 - Energy therapies.

Question 6

List 4 recognised patterns of use of complementary medicines.

Answer 6

1 - Earnest seekers (those that have an intractable health problem for which they try many forms of treatment).

2 - Stable users (regular users).

3 - Eclectic users (use different forms of therapy depending on the circumstances).

4 - One-off users.

Question 7

List 5 reasons why people choose to use complementary and alternative medicines.

Answer 7

1 - Perceived effectiveness.

2 - Philosophical congruence.

3 - Control over treatment.

4 - Non-invasive nature.

5 - Accessibility.

Question 8

List 3 reasons for the rejection of the traditional healthcare system.

Answer 8

1 - Rejection of science / technology.

2 - Rejection of ‘the establishment’.

3 - Desperation.

Question 9

List 4 more reasons for the use of complementary and alternative medicines.

Answer 9

1 - Perceived safety.

2 - Good patient / therapist relationship.

3 - Pleasant therapeutic experience.

4 - Affluence.

Question 10

List 3 areas of potential controversy concerning complementary and alternative medicines.

Answer 10

1 - Effects on the Dr / patient relationship.

2 - Adverse effects / interactions with orthodox treatment.

3 - Evidence base (cure vs feeling better).