What is Holistic-Complementary and Alternative Medicine/Integrative Medicine?
Defining Holistic or Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), also know as Integrative Medicine (a term that highlights the school of thought that CAM can be successfully integrated in the physicians medical school taught armentarium) helps in understanding what it offers, why older patients are attracted to and find effectiveness in these therapies, and how conventional practitioners can deal with their increasing use. The most common definition in United States medical literature is “those practices neither taught widely in United States medical schools nor generally available in United States hospitals.” Patient interviews must include inquiry into CAM use; providers need to know about potentially risky therapies. Integration of CAM into our health care system, although burdensome in the short term, will benefit patients in the long run, where benefit is due. Integration of CAM into treatment does not mean acknowledging its effectiveness, but taking advantage of any benefits it
