Question

What are the three reasons for not including formal CAM in medical education

Answer 1

CAM(complementary and alternate medicine) is defined as a broad set of health care practices that are not part of that country's own tradition and are not integrated into the dominant health care system.

It consists of five therapies:-

• Alternative whole medical systems (homeopathic and naturopathic, Chinese, and Ayurvedic medicine)

• Mind–body interventions (meditation, prayer, mental healing, art, music, and dance therapy)

• Biologically based therapies (herbs, foods, vitamins and other dietary supplements, including natural products)

• Manipulative and body-based methods (massage)

• energy therapies

It is not included in the current medical education because of the following reasons:-

• Lack of evidence-based information about efficacy, safety and drug interactions with CAM therapy
• Lack of formal training
• Time, funding and regulatory issues