Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of integrative medicine?
Which of the following best describes complementary medicine?
What is one major issue faced in CAM research?
What type of medicine is defined as being non-mainstream and used instead of conventional medicine?
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Which of the following is a challenge in CAM research related to funding?
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What is one limitation of evidence-based medicine mentioned in the content?
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Which of the following reflects a concern regarding the efficacy and safety of complementary therapies?
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What aspect of clinical decision-making is emphasized alongside the best available evidence?
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In the context of complementary therapies and cancer, what is a significant concern raised?
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Which statement best summarizes the role of individual practitioner experience in clinical decision-making?
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Study Notes
Integrative Medicine
- Integrates conventional and complementary therapies to achieve optimal health and healing.
- Focuses on the person as a whole, considering their illness or disease.
- Employs an evidence-based approach.
Complementary Medicine
- A non-mainstream approach used alongside conventional medicine.
Alternative Medicine
- A non-mainstream approach used in place of conventional medicine.
CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
- A group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered part of conventional medicine.
Problems with CAM research
- Too few studies on some topics.
- Studies are often of poor quality.
- Small funding, small samples, and inexperienced researchers.
- Easier to fund patentable products like drugs rather than natural products.
- Research design may not reflect clinical practice as many therapies are holistically practiced, making it difficult to isolate one treatment aspect.
- Difficulties with placebos and blinding, for example, procedures like acupuncture, lifestyle interventions, and counselling.
- Challenges in choosing appropriate outcome measures, such as disease progression vs. quality of life vs. symptom relief.
- Bias, such as uncritical acceptance of CAM among CAM practitioners or rejection among doctors.
Evidence-Based Medicine
- Provides answers to efficacy, effectiveness, efficiency, safety, mechanisms.
- Addresses limitations of evidence, interpretation bias, research agenda.
- The best approach to clinical decision making combines the best available evidence with individual clinical circumstances.
The Five Domains of CAM
- Use of multivitamins.
- Diet.
- Massage.
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).
- Qigong (pronounced Chi-Kung).
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
- Includes acupuncture and acupressure.
CAM and Cancer Survival
- Many studies have had encouraging results in terms of symptom control.
- No definitive evidence suggests CAM treatment alters disease progression in breast cancer patients.
- Several modalities seem to improve other outcomes.
Negative Findings
- "There is no evidence" can mean the study was methodologically unsound or the sample was too small to statistically demonstrate an effect.
- It can also indicate a non-significant or statistically significant negative effect.
- It can mean the topic has not been studied yet.
Clinical Points When Approaching a Patient Using CAM
- Respect and listen to the patient's views.
- Think integrative, not alternative.
- Check the evidence, even if it means asking the patient to return after conducting further research.
- Encourage the use of proven therapies.
- Discourage disproven, unsafe, or exorbitantly expensive therapies.
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Description
This quiz explores the various aspects of integrative, complementary, and alternative medicine (CAM). It delves into the definitions, approaches, and problems faced by CAM research. Understand the evidence-based methods and holistic practices involved in achieving optimal health.
