According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), it is important for doctors to ask patients about their history of use of complementary health practices.
Here are commonly asked questions and how NCCAM addresses them.
What are complementary health practices?
Complementary health practices are a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products whose origins come from outside of mainstream medicine. They include such products and practices as herbal supplements, meditation, chiropractic manipulation, and acupuncture.
Why should I ask my patients about their use of complementary health practices?
- Most patients do not proactively disclose use to their physicians.
- Patients with chronic and acute medical conditions-including cancer, diabetes, back pain, and depression-turn to complementary health practices in large numbers.**
- As more patients use these practices, you need a full picture of all conventional and complementary practices they are using so that you can effectively manage their care.
** Barnes PM, Bloom B, Nahin RL. Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults and children: United States, 2007. CDC National Health Statistics Report #12. 2008.
How can I find the time to discuss complementary health practices with my patients?
-Include a question about use of complementary health practices on medical history forms.
- Ask your patients to bring a list of all therapies they use, including prescription, over-the-counter, herbal therapies, and other complementary health practices.
Have your nurse, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant initiate the conversation.
With so little information available about most complementary health practices, what can I tell my patients?
- You can refer your patients to credible, Federal resources to get evidence-based information and patient education materials. You do not need to know everything about complementary health practices.
- Rigorous scientific research on complementary health practices is taking place at major academic and medical institutions throughout the United States.
From NCCAM.NIH.gov