While two-thirds of Americans older than age 50 use alternative medicine, most of them keep it to themselves, according to a survey conducted by NIH's Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the AARP. The survey found that patients didn't tell their doctors about the alternative medicines they were using because the doctor never asked, they didn't know they should or they were embarrassed.Alyssa Cotler, a public health adviser with the NIH, told the Times Union, "They were afraid their doctors were going to dismiss the use of (complementary and alternative medicines) so they didn't bring it up."
The medical community has been so critical of alternative medicine that people, feeling estranged and embarrassed, are left with no choice but to be dishonest with their health care providers about other treatments they may be seeking out. As a result of this, at least, the medical community is beginning to embrace alternative treatments, in hopes of encouraging an open and honest relationship between patients and physicians.
The article also discusses how as alternative therapies grow in popularity in the United States, medical curriculums are changing to provide an opportunity for new doctors to learn about such treatments. “Medical students get a taste of alternative therapies in several classes and learn how to ask patients about nontraditional medicines in their clinical skills class.”
The medical community and many individuals make the mistake of believing that alternative medicine is a new trend. Several of these therapies have been practiced for centuries. Dudley Moon, a biology professor at the Albany College of Pharmacy, told the Times Union, “The idea is to give the pharmacy students broad exposure to what we would call alternative medicine, though in other parts of the world they would be called routine."
Which is why it is so essential for physicians to be aware of any alternative treatments patients may be undergoing. The article discusses government officials’ concerns about potential interactions between drugs that doctors prescribe and natural supplements a patient may be taking.
The medical community encourages an open and honest relationship between patients and health care providers by accepting alternative medicine as a reasonable treatment, even if it means some doctors will have to bite their tongues. Accepting these therapies, or pretending to for the time being, will create a better awareness and understanding of how alternative medicine affects traditional medicine, which could perhaps lead to the advancement of both types of practices.
I agree completely. "Alternative" medicine has long been the first source for health treatment, especially outside America. In a wonderful twist, the research and technology sectors are increasingly turning their cure and treatment approaches toward natural elements, such as cruciferous vegetables to cure cancer and even dirt to prevent bacterial disease. There is a trial going on in Africa testing a clay substance for the prevention of disease caused by food toxins that often results in death in HIV patients. It's a great trend and I hope it continues.
ReplyDeleteI think some doctors make it difficult for their patients to be honest. We live in such a fast faced world that when we need somethin now, there is a way to get it. We have fast food because we don't want to wait, we can now download music before it's released, and we have "alternative" medicine because we can't always wait to go see a doctor. But then we get to the doctor's office and can sometimes feel like a child being scolded by a parent. Of course we don't want to tell the truth, we don't want to get in trouble, especially as an adult. I think it's important that doctors not only expect patients to be honest, but that they make the "relationship" open enough for patients not to feel guilty when they're doing something wrong.
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