THE CHALLENGE OF COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Complementary and alternative medicine can be defined as those medical systems, practices, interventions, and applications that currently ar e not part of the dominant or conventional medical system. There are m ore than 300 different topics under the term complementary and alterna tive medicine that can be divided into seven major categories on the b asis of philosophy, approach to the patient, and orientation. Most pat ients seeking care from complementary and alternative medicine provide rs do so for the relief of signs and symptoms related to chronic illne ss while they are under the care of a physician. Clinical data derived from appropriately conducted clinical trials support the use and valu e of complementary and alternative medicine for selected indications. The challenge for both conventional medicine and complementary and alt ernative medicine is to fulfill the role of patient advocate by engagi ng in reciprocal open communication, facilitating the patient's inform ed choice, avoiding harmful or useless practices, and implementing an integrated evidence-based care plan.