Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC: "The Changing Attitudes Towards Alternative Medicine"

I came across this study and it reinforced something that I personally believe has been occurring for some time now. I'm not sure whether it's because I live and practice on the west coast and people here are generally more accepting of alternative health care or whether it was just a matter of time. But it appears that attitudes towards Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is slowly changing. (For clarification, CAM therapies would include things such as Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Massage etc.) Not only is it changing among consumers but it is changing in the institutions of higher learning as well. This study entitled; "Attitudes toward CAM among medical, nursing, and pharmacy faculty and students: a comparative analysis" is showing that now more than ever, the interest in CAM is growing.

In brief, the study revealed that more than 90% of faculty and students believe that clinical care should integrate the best of conventional and CAM practices and that health professionals should be prepared to advise patients about commonly used CAM methods. But more interestingly enough, of the faculty surveyed, the support for teaching more about CAM therapies in the curriculum was overwhelming at 88%. This tells me that the doctors and teachers of the next wave of doctors, nurses and pharmacists realize it is important to expose their students to these health care options. From my own experience, I believe it is a direct consequence of better informed patients. Patients now-a-days are more savvy. They have often done some research on the internet before they see their family doctor or other specialists. These people want to have a discussion and need advice. They come armed with questions for their doctors and are very interested in trying things like Chiropractic and Acupuncture.


This study reinforces the interest out there for more information about complementary and alternative therapies. In fact, the study shows that the interest to learn more about CAM therapies in the medical schools is so strong that the integration of CAM into the curriculum is crucial. 


The study has suggested that the major factor preventing more inclusion of CAM into our medical schools is lack of clinical evidence. Although, this may be true to a certain extent, this too is also changing. The literature reporting the benefits of Chiropractic, not just in relation to efficacy but also to cost savings, is growing steadily. 


So if you've always wondered about Chiropractic, why not stop by my office just off Commercial Drive in East Vancouver, or visit my website here;COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC HERE!!!!

Notes: 

Attitudes toward CAM among medical, nursing, and pharmacy faculty and students: a comparative analysis.

 Altern Ther Health Med. 2002 Nov-Dec;8(6):44-7, 50-3.