Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has beenaround for over 5,000 years. In the past 15 years, there hasbeen a resurgence of interest in complementary and alternativemedicine.
I believe just as the Phoenix rose from the ashes, so will complementarymedicine rise out of the decline of traditional medicine. As themedical system in United States fails from increasing insurance costs,higher deductibles, more regulations and misdistribution of resources;complementary and alternative medicine will become an increasinglypopular means for obtaining health care. The renaissance of complementarymedicine will be promulgated by the following factors:
Growing Body of Literature Supporting CAM: Overthe past five years, there has been an explosion of excellent, double blind,placebo–controlled trials that have proven the benefit of many CAMtreatments. This scientific validation not only has increased patientconfidence in therapies, but traditional doctors, who are trained to beskeptics, are starting to use some CAM treatments for their patients.
Cost–effectiveness of CAM: As the cost of traditional healthcare rises, CAM is very attractive financially. Patients are seeking out efficacious,less costly therapies. Many alternative remedies cost a fractionof the cost of prescription medications.
The Rise of Multidisciplinary, Integrated HealthcarePractices: As traditional physicians feel the impact ofdeclining reimbursement and more regulation, they will look for opportunitiesto collaborate with CAM practitioners and market directlyto the patient. Because diagnosis is necessary for the implementation oftreatment, savvy business–oriented physicians will surround themselveswith a cadre of complementary medicine practitioners who will create asynergy in treatment alternatives.
Insurance Coverage for CAM: More patients desireaccess to CAM practitioners. Traditional medicine is becoming lessaccessible. CAM practitioners are finding that their reception areasare filled with insurance–card, carrying patients. Insurance companiesknowledgeable of the recent literature that is supporting alternativetherapies are beginning to see the cost–effectiveness of these treatmentsrelative to traditional medicine.
Acceptance by Allopathic (traditional) physicians:Overburdened family doctors are now relying on caregiversin other disciplines to relieve their load. In addition, many primarycare physicians are now expanding their practices to consider otherless traditional forms of treatment. Some family doctors actually sellvitamins and supplements in their offices as a service to their patientsand as a way to supplement their incomes.
Mechanism of Cost Containment: The federal governmentmay see CAM as a mechanism for controlling costs. Most CAMpractitioners support a pro–active approach to healthcare. Moreimportantly, they reinforce self–awareness and early intervention. Theleveraging effect on the health care dollar is huge, when one looks atthe cost of pro–active care versus reactive (traditional) healthcare.
Improved access to CAM practitioner: It is becomingincreasingly more common to wait seven to 14 days to seea primary care doctor and up to six months to see a specialist. If theUnited States goes to a single payer system, these waits will increasesignificantly. However, CAM practitioners many times will acceptsame day appointments. For natural remedies, one only needs to goto the nearest health food store to purchase his supplies. There are nolong waits for the pharmacist to fill the prescription, to counsel you onside effects and to receive your co–pay.
Less federal and state regulation: The regulatoryburden that hospitals and traditional physicians must bear is breakingthe system. The CAM provider who works within their limitations,and avoids unsubstantiated treatment claims has significantly lessregulatory interference particularly in a cash paying environment.
In the next five years, I expect an explosion in the CAM field, especiallyif we have a single payer system. If you need validation of thisprediction, you only need to look to the European countries, many ofwhich have a single payer system.
Citizens of these countries have excellent access to CAM and haveready acceptance of these treatment options. If you are a CAM practitioner,your future is bright and your days will be long – and fruitful.
Until next time ... live well!
