 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
CA Brooks, MSHA, Research, Craig Hospital, 3425 S. Clarkson Street, Englewood, CO 80110, 3037898202, cabrooks@craighospital.org
The National Institutes of Health, National Center on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) was established in October of 1998. According to its director Stephen E. Straus, MD, “NCCAM's work reflects the growing public interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and the belief that various CAM therapies may play a role in improved public health.” Worldwide, only ten to thirty percent of people use conventional medicine; 70 – 90% rely on traditional healing practices. Over the last decade Americans too have embraced these holistic practices in ever increasing numbers. This includes many people with disabilities and chronic health conditions. Some CAM therapies including acupuncture have been shown to be effective in the treatment of chronic pain, hypertension, bladder dysfunction, asthma and to ease the side effects of chemotherapy. As per NCCAM, Approximately 42 percent of U.S. healthcare consumers spent $27 billion on CAM therapies in 1997. But can American hospitals and health care centers, with their scientifically-based Western medicine practices effectively incorporate CAM techniques? Can they – and will they – integrate CAM therapies into their programs to meet the growing interest and demand of their consumers? This presentation will provide an overview of the efforts of one rehabilitation facility to do just that. Successful strategies for educating staff and clients alike, developed over the last three years by an interdisciplinary committee will be articulated. This will include ideas for identifying appropriate modalities and activities targeting the needs of people with disabilities and recommendations for recruiting reputable CAM practitioners.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies, Disability
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.