Dr. Poses is correct that NCCAM's definition of CAM is vague. One could
never operationalize it and one must question its validity. The largest
CAM profession is the chiropractic profession. While it is true that
chiropractic is not taught "widely" in medical schools, nor is it
"generally" used in hospitals (even though more hospitals are granting
staff privileges to chiropractors) chiropractic IS usually reimbursed by
medical insurance companies. Further, as a result of the awareness of
the public's interest in CAM more medical schools are teaching CAM
procedures (for a listing of such courses see:
http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/rosenthal/Med_Courses.html )
Roy Poses wrote:
> The NIH Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine describes CAM
> as:
> Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) covers a broad range of
> healing philosophies, approaches, and therapies. Generally , it is
> defined as those treatments and healthcare practices not taught widely
> in medical schools, not generally used in hospitals, and not usually
> reimbursed by medical insurance companies.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> Did anyone else find this "official" definition extremely vague? I don't know
> how one would operationalize it into a study.
>
> First of all, it is easy to think of "conventional" treatments that fit most
> of this definition. For example, influenza vaccine receives little attention
> in most medical schools, is not used often in hospitals, and at least up to
> the last few years, was not always reimbursed by insurance in the US.
> Furthermore, it is preventative, and can be used alone or in conjunction with
> other interventions.
>
> The definition of "holistic" seems to be a non-sequitur in a definition of
> "alternative or complementary" treatments, because it seems to refer to the
> thought processes of the practioner rather than the therapy he/she employs.
--
_____________________________________________________________________
Stephen M. Perle, D.C. "A man who knows that
Assistant Professor of Clinical Sciences he is a fool is not
University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic a great fool."
Bridgeport, CT 06601 Chuang Tzu
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
http://www.bridgeport.edu/chiro/
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