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American Journal of Medical Quality, Vol. 17, No. 1, 10-14 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/106286060201700103

CAM Providers' Messages to Conventional Medicine: A Qualitative Study

V. L. Moura, MD

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research Center, Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich, vlmoura{at}umich.edu

S. L. Warber, MD

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research Center, Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich

S. A. James, PhD

Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture and Health, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich

Between 30 and 50% of patients use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). There is little research on the interaction between CAM and conventional providers. We investigated what messages CAM practitioners would convey to conventional medicine (CM). Thirty-four CAM practitioners participated in audiotaped interviews. A coherent message was constructed from the identified themes. CAM practitioners see CAM supporting CM rather than replacing it. Blending of CAM with CM benefits patients and CM providers. CAM reintroduces the concept of healing that technology and time pressures have reduced. The basis of healing is connection, being present in the moment, and seeing patients as whole human beings. Research validating CAM effectiveness will foster integration, as will inclusion of CAM theory and practice in the medical curricula. The messages from CAM practitioners to CM coincide with current views of integrative medicine. Collaboration in research, education, and practice can foster a high-quality health care system.

Key Words: Alternative medicine • complementary medicine • curing • healing • integrative medicine • medical education • profession-al collaboration • therapeutic relationship


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