Physicians and healers -- unwitting partners in health care

Article Abstract:

Alternative medicine can be defined as any alternative to conventional medicine that is used to preserve health and treat diseases. They are often derived from folk traditions, religious beliefs and rebellion against the widespread use of technology in health care. Many alternative treatments are harmless and may do some good by preventing patients from seeking expensive medical care for a self-limiting disease. However, they can be dangerous if they prevent people from seeking conventional care for serious diseases. Physicians treating patients who are known to be using alternative treatments should rely on medical organizations that can provide information about such therapy. The physician should discuss this information with the patient and monitor the patient's progress. It may be time to create a panel of conventional and alternative healers, as well as members of the public, to publish standards on alternative medicine.

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Use of alternative medicine -- a marker for distress?

Article Abstract:

Doctors should ask all their patients if the patient uses alternative medicine because this might be a sign that the patient is distressed. Two 1999 studies found this to be true in breast cancer patients and brain tumor patients. Many doctors don't ask their patients about distress and patients don't volunteer the information. The patient may also believe that the doctor is not responsible for treating any psychological distress that results from the treatment of a physical disease. Doctors should focus on treating people, not diseases and should promptly refer distressed patients to a qualified mental health professional.

Psychological aspects, Care and treatment, Editorial, Stress (Psychology), Patients

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Faith healers and physicians: Teaching pseudoscience by mandate

Article Abstract:

The pseudo-scientific, anti-evolutionary theory of intelligent design, which presents the concept of a supernatural, having a hidden hand in developing the living world, and the support received by it in political and educational circles is discussed. The theory's unhealthy impact on scientific education including medical education makes it mandatory for professional leaders, academicians and doctors to teach the public the difference between faith and science.

United States, Analysis, Study and teaching, Medical education, Pseudoscience

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