In a recent survey from UCLA and the University of California, San Diego, researchers measured medical students’ attitudes and beliefs about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and found that three-quarters of them felt conventional medicine would benefit by integrating CAM therapies.
• 77 percent of participants agreed that patients whose doctors know about CAM in addition to conventional medicine benefit more than those whose doctors are only familiar with conventional medicine.
• 74 percent agreed that a system that integrates conventional and CAM therapies would be more effective than either type of medicine provided independently.
• 84 percent agreed that CAM contains beliefs, ideas and therapies from which conventional medicine could benefit.
• 49 percent indicated that they have used CAM.
“CAM is receiving increased attention in light of the global health crisis and the significant role of traditional medicine in meeting public health needs in developing countries,” says study author Ryan Abbott, a UCLA researcher. “Integrating CAM into mainstream health care is now a global phenomenon, with policymakers at the highest levels endorsing the importance of a historically marginalized form of health care.”
CAM includes therapies such as acupuncture, massage, herbal medicine, and yoga. Its emphasis is on maximizing the body’s inherent healing ability, getting patients involved as active participants in their health care and preventive care. While interest in these fields has increased dramatically in the United States in recent years, information about such therapies has not yet been widely integrated into medical education.
“Even with the high prevalence of CAM use today, most physicians still know little about nonconventional forms of medicine,” says Michael Goldstein, a UCLA research scientist. “Investigating medical students’ attitudes and knowledge will help us assess whether this may change in the future.”
Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers acupuncture, Chinese herbal therapy and massage for a wide range of health conditions as well as overall wellness. To schedule an appointment call (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director.
An Integration of both Conventional and Alternative medicine will help make Alternative Medicine more accessable
That was an interesting read. I think that Alternative Therapies can really help.When I left college I was fortunate enough to meet a mentor early on and I think this boosted my Alternative Therapy career develop greatly.
As cliched as it sounds its not what you know but who you know sometimes. I would say get out and network as much as possible….meet new people and don’t be afraid to get your face out there.
A nice article on CAM with the data providing food for thought. I wonder why magnetic therapy is not still considered a mainstream alternative treatment when it has been known to provide succour to so many patients that I have come across.
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