By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    benefits of using protein powder to build muscles
    Protein Powder for Muscle Mass: Everything You Need to Know
    December 12, 2021
    changes brought on by blockchain in healthcare
    Technology In The Healthcare Industry
    March 28, 2022
    What Does Core Body Temperature Say About Health?
    August 17, 2022
    Latest News
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
    Engineering Temporary Hospitals for Extreme Weather
    April 24, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    FDA Approves Diabetes Pill
    May 2, 2011
    Patient Gets Drunk on Hand Sanitizer
    June 20, 2011
    Cultivating Health Improvement
    July 20, 2011
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Complementary Therapies: Who’s in the Dark?
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Diagnostics > Complementary Therapies: Who’s in the Dark?
Diagnostics

Complementary Therapies: Who’s in the Dark?

DavidEWilliams
Last updated: March 26, 2013 7:08 am
DavidEWilliams
Share
3 Min Read
alternative medicine
SHARE

alternative medicineWhen I saw the MedPage Today headline “Study: Docs in dark about complementary therapies,” I assumed it meant that doctors didn’t understand these therapies. But the story described patients withholding information about what they were doing from their physicians. That’s not exactly a new or surprising finding.

alternative medicineWhen I saw the MedPage Today headline “Study: Docs in dark about complementary therapies,” I assumed it meant that doctors didn’t understand these therapies. But the story described patients withholding information about what they were doing from their physicians. That’s not exactly a new or surprising finding.

The study advises physicians to ask about what else patients are taking or doing — probably a good idea. But I’d like to see more attention paid to how physicians react when they hear about other therapies and the extent to which they are willing or able to engage with the large percentage of patients that seek relief or cure outside the medical setting at the same time they are working with their doctors.

Some of these therapies are herbs or other substances that may interact with prescribed drugs. Doctors definitely need to know about that and deal with it. Other approaches, such as massage, meditation and reflexology may be helpful for some patients – and it may or may not matter if the physician is involved.

More Read

Digital Breast Tomosynthesis Brings Benefits to Patient Exams
BioPharma Beat: The Uberization of Healthcare – A Silly Extrapolation
Help us, IBM-Dell-Apple, you’re our only hope.
1 in 7 Alzheimer’s Cases Could Be Prevented with Exercise
Continua’s Chuck Parker on Connected Health (transcript)

The best physicians take a personalized, holistic approach to their patients, and do so in ways that do not conflict with the evidence-based mantra. One physician I know has a medicine man (who’s also his patient) perform a ceremony blessing the statin he prescribes to another member of the same tribe. I’m willing to bet his patients are more adherent as a result of this approach.

I’m not a major proponent of alternative and complementary medicine, but I do find it revealing to see how physicians relate to other approaches, especially for diseases they can’t cure. Do they insist that other approaches are invalid and consider them an affront? Do they balance a healthy skepticism with open mindedness to the idea that they don’t know everything? Do they vary their approach depending on the individual patients and their situations?

TAGGED:alternative medicinecomplementary therapy
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Dental health
May 21, 2025
The Secret To A Confident Smile: Top Tips For Better Teeth
The Secret To A Confident Smile: Top Tips For Better Teeth
Dental health
May 21, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
Health care
May 18, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Health
May 15, 2025

You Might also Like

Why Subtle Test Results Matter to Patients

July 28, 2012
DiagnosticsTechnology

10 Essential Things Every Bio Lab Needs To Have

February 15, 2022

Selection Of A Diagnostic Centre: How To Choose A Quality Facility

March 26, 2020

Is There Too Much Screening for Heart Disease?

June 21, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?