Complementary and alternative medicine overview

CAM

Persuading a hospital to adopt Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM)

As a masters prepared nursing leader, how would implement CAM?

My first step as a nurse would be to get the rest of the staff 'on board' to include CAM. One of the most frequent criticisms of Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) is that there is no proof that CAM really 'works,' unlike scientifically validated, evidence-based medicine. Its harshest critics often attribute its apparent successes to the so-called 'placebo effect,' or the idea that because someone thinks a cure is helpful, they believe they show signs of improvement. However, many CAM techniques have been shown to be beneficial in controlled, scientific studies.

For example, in one study of 50 patients with herniated disks, half the patients took daily doses of the anti-inflammatory drug Celebrex along with Vicodin while the second group was prescribed back-building yoga and Pilates exercises. After three months, 80% of patients in the yoga group reported that their pain was reduced, while in the Celebrex group only 44% of the patients showed signs of improvement. "Three patients, or 12% of the yoga group, re-injured their backs during the period; that compares with 14 or more than half of patients in the medication group" (Parker-Pope 2002). Another movement-based alternative therapy called the Alexander Technique, according to a 2008 British Medical Journal study, was found to be more effective than drug treatment. Acupuncture, meditation, and a variety of treatments outside of the traditional scope of Western medicine have been shown to be more or equally beneficial than drug treatments through scientifically-validated studies (Varney 2011). These treatments are often more cost-effective than traditional therapies alone. Furthermore, they can empower patients to take control of their own health by encouraging healthy movement and eating habits, which can reduce the risk of re-injury.

2. What financial concerns do you have and what strategies would you use to solve them ?

Another frequent objection raised to CAM is that insurance companies may not cover the treatments. However, given the mounting empirical evidence of CAM's benefits, some insurance companies are offering coverage for these treatments. Unfortunately, coverage is seldom complete or is extremely limited in terms of number of sessions. "Chiropractic, massage therapy and acupuncture are the three most-covered therapies" (Wong 2011). However, this at least provides patients with an introduction to the therapy, and they can weigh the costs of the treatment against the improvement in their health. Some may find certain types of CAM, such as yoga, available within their health clubs or other affordable settings.

3. How might technology help you meet your goal?

A number of major research hospitals, such as New York-Presbyterian Hospital at Columbia University, now offer CAM within the hospital environment. The hospital offers nutritional, exercise, and wellness counseling. Patients can learn about breathing techniques and the use of herbs to combat symptoms. By conducting research on CAM within the framework of a hospital, the institution can make sure that the therapies are undertaken in a safe and supervised manner. More and more people are turning to CAM as a way to cope with illness and may do so whether their hospital formally encourages them to or not. By integrating proven CAM remedies into the hospital environment, an institution can ensure that the best and most effective practices are used on patients, and are integrated within a more standard plan of care.