Development of a complementary and alternative medicine programme at an academic medical centre

Dietlind L. Wahner-Roedler, Peter L. Elkin, Ann Vincent, Laura L. Loehrer, Tiffani D. Schilling, Brent A. Bauer

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

With the increasing use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the US, academic medical centres need to provide evidence-based CAM information and services. To develop a CAM programme involving practice, education and research at our tertiary-care academic medical centre, we initiated a four-pronged approach: (i) creation of an interdisciplinary CAM interest group, (ii) a survey of CAM use among 1514 patients seen at our institution, (iii) a survey of knowledge and attitudes toward CAM among 660 physicians in our institution's Department of Internal Medicine and (iv) a pilot study of CAM consultations provided at no cost to 102 patients. Bringing together individuals from multiple disciplines across our institution resulted in numerous alliances and collaborations. We documented that many of our internists thought that addressing CAM therapies would improve patient satisfaction and that our patients used CAM therapies and found CAM consultations helpful. Our present programme is devoted to practice (a CAM consultation service has been implemented), education (medical school lectures and a postgraduate-level curriculum in CAM medicine have been developed) and research (there are several ongoing clinical trials).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)9-12
Number of pages4
JournalEvidence-Based Integrative Medicine
Volume2
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2005

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Complementary and alternative medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Development of a complementary and alternative medicine programme at an academic medical centre'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this