Making Informed Choices about Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

How do you make informed choices about CAM?

ou’ve worked with your primary care physician exploring options for treatment. A traditional approach to care has run its course and you’ve discussed the possibilities of both complementary and alternative treatments. With your primary care physician as the “chairperson” of your health team, it’s time to focus on alternatives, making sure your choices are the best informed and most effective for your situation.

The best healthcare is a team approach with your primary care doctor acting as a coach to help you manage all aspects of a program—diet, exercise, supplements, herbal remedies, and other CAM and traditional procedures.

	Think through the process and develop criteria you believe are important to selecting a CAM practitioner

1. Start with Referrals

Your primary care and traditional specialists should be a starting point to locate trusted and experienced alternative practitioners. While you’re collecting referrals, get informed. A great place to start is the web or the library of your nearest university--ideally one with a medical school or healthcare program.

2. Research CAM Information on the Internet

Start with the web. Who hosts and funds the site? Are the articles presented by established practitioners, either traditional or CAM, or developed by staff writers? Note the letters after the author’s names to determine the type of training. Check university or institutional affiliations. Follow the electronic path down a few more forks in the road—look for research, publications or presentations in which the practitioners have been involved. Is your comfort level rising or are you starting to feel some discomfort? There are many fine institutions of medical knowledge and learning all over the world. Look for practitioners from established centers of learning in countries with the resources to conduct excellent research and care.

Here a few guidelines and questions to help you determine the validity of the information you find online:

• Is it fact/science-based or is it simply a position paper?
• Are the facts documented? Does it include references?
• Are those references from medical journals and researchers in the field, or are the references from other websites or undocumented sources.
• Check out the mission statement on the site. What is its purpose?
• Is the site’s primary purpose to share information or sell a product or service?
• Is the site governed by a review board?

3. Find Resources in the Library

The same standards apply for any library information. However, a medical school library is a great source for already-vetted information. You’ll have access to a greater depth of information from leading researchers and practitioners all over the world. The information can be less user-friendly than web-based material, but it may be worth the effort.

We never have been exposed to a greater amount of information about healthcare–especially alternatives–than we are now. It is a source of great promise and a call for great care. Practice both as you become informed.

4. Vet Background Experience

So, now you’re reasonably well informed, comfortable with the background research you’ve done, and you’re ready to “vet” the recommendations of your healthcare providers. When you vet information about professionals, the point is to verify their experience, credentials, and expertise for accuracy and competent performance.

Think through the process and develop criteria you believe are important to selecting a CAM practitioner for your personal medical needs and your temperament. Personal chemistry with your healthcare providers is important. If you’re a detail-oriented person, make your list exhaustive and use a spreadsheet. If you’re just interested in key elements, make the list more informal. In either case, make some sort of list so you can check off the criteria.

Review the Practitioner’s Education

• Where did she study? What subjects? What degrees does she hold?
• Is she trained exclusively in a CAM methodology or a combination of traditional discipline and a CAM specialty?
• Does her education include any post-graduate fellowships or research posts of note?
• Have she published? Where? Are the journals referred?
• What affiliations does she hold within traditional medical disciplines or CAM? Check out each affiliation. Does it have national or international scope? Is it associated with an acknowledged and respected institution such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)?

Review the Practitioner’s Experience

What type and how much experience does your short list of CAM practitioners have? Is it in private practice or with an institution? Is there a history of working together with traditional practitioners on a patient’s behalf?

5. Discuss Findings with Your Primary Provider

Your health is at stake. Be as detailed as possible and get the answers you need. When have completed your review process, discuss your selections with your primary care provider for input. Substances labeled “natural”, aren’t automatically the safest choice. A 1,000 year-old procedure, certainly deserves consideration, but doesn’t necessarily make it ideal for you. Making the right choices for your healthcare means making informed choices together with your primary care physician.