Peter De Lorenzo BSc, MACS
Principal, UnityHealth Pty Ltd and founder
of IMgateway.net website. |
The costs of medical
care continue to spiral in developed countries.
The situation is unlikely to get better
in the future, with further technological
developments such as gene therapies, new
drug classes, immunodiagnostic and therapeutic
devices in the midst of an ageing population
that will consume an ever-greater proportion
of health care resources. Yet, according
to integrative doctors such as Professor
Avni Sali, there appear to be justifiable
concerns about whether these burgeoning
health care costs are actually delivering
better health outcomes for our community.
In addition, evidence is mounting that a
more wholistic approach to primary care,
integrating complementary medicine with
conventional practice has great potential
to reduce both these problems.
Complementary medicine
may be defined as 'diagnosis, treatment
and/or prevention that complements mainstream
medicine by contributing to a common whole,
by satisfying a demand not met by orthodoxy
and by diversifying the conceptual frameworks
of medicine.' [1] The term 'alternative
medicine' tends to indicate that it is not
integrated with mainstream medicine and
that the patient must choose one or the
other. The term 'complementary medicine'
is preferable, as it promotes a cooperative
relationship leading to improved health
care for an individual patient.
General practice can
learn from complementary medicine. A survey
in the UK [2] found that patients chose
complementary medicine for four main reasons:
- Dissatisfaction
with conventional medicine
- Lack of holism
in conventional medicine
- A greater sense
of self-control
- Support in chronic
illness.
While GPs are trained
and encouraged to provide this approach
to all their patients, the statistics would
indicate that many GPs can improve in these
areas by undertaking further education and
training and by accessing appropriate resources
to improve their understanding of appropriate
applications of complementary medicine as
well as limitations and potential dangerous
interactions.
The trend towards integrating
evidence-based complementary medicines into
conventional medicine is growing in the
western world.
In 2001, the Royal Australian
College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
survey showed that, 43% of urban and 43%
of rural patients reported attending complementary
medicine practitioners. [3] While some forms
of complementary medicine have been around
for centuries, there have been substantial
changes in its scientific base and organisational
structure. Such changes have led to increasing
integration with conventional medicine.
A potential result of this change is that
similar clinical, scientific and regulatory
standards could be applied to all forms
of primary health care.
It is now recognised
that public spending on complementary medicines
within developed nations far exceeds the
patient contribution for all pharmaceutical
medications. [5] These trends are consistent
in the United States, which suggests that
use of complementary medicines is increasing.
Between 1990 and 1997 expenditure on these
therapies in the US increased by 45.2%,
with the total of over US$21 billion exceeding
out-of-pocket expenditures for all US hospitalisations.
Furthermore, visits to practitioners of
complementary medicine exceeded the total
of visits to all US primary care physicians.
[6]
Similarly, use of complementary
medicines by Australian General Practitioners
(GPs) is increasing. Surveys have estimated
that between 30-40% of GPs practice a complementary
medicine and over 75% formally refer their
patients for such medicines. [7,8] It is
also estimated that over 80% of Australian
GPs think it appropriate for GPs to practice
therapies such as hypnosis, meditation and
acupuncture and that most GPs desire further
training in various complementary medicines.
[8] This interest is supported by the forming
of links between the Australasian Integrative
Medicine Association, the Royal Australian
College of General Practitioners and the
Australian Medical Association's Advisory
Committee on Complementary Medicine as well
as the introduction of teachings in complementary
medicine in undergraduate medical courses
and the development of new postgraduate
courses to train doctors in various modalities.
The increased interest
in complementary therapies by both doctors
and patients is paralleled by an increasing
support for these therapies by government.
In Australia, the government has provided
these therapies with formal recognition
by establishing an Office of Complementary
Medicine as part of the Therapeutic Goods
Administration, and the Victorian Government
is the first outside of China to regulate
the practice of traditional Chinese medicine.
Australian Institute
of Health and Welfare statistics show that
Australians spend around $1 billion annually
on complementary medicines which include
vitamin supplements, homeopathic medicines
and traditional Asian and indigenous medicines.
In November 2006, the
Australian Commonwealth Government announced
a $5 million funding program through the
National Health and Medical Research Council
(NHMRC) to investigate the use and effectiveness
of complementary medicines. [11]
This new funding is in addition to the Commonwealth
Government's recent $529 million investment
in NHMRC grants for health and medical research.
THE COST OF COMPLIMENTARY MEDICINE |
In the USA, individuals
spend more than US$35 billion on complementary
medicines. This includes herbal, vitamin
and diet products, relaxation therapy, massage,
spiritual healing, self-help groups, folk
remedies, homeopathy, hypnosis, biofeedback,
acupuncture and books and classes.
About 58% of Americans
who used complementary medicines treatments
paid for these services themselves, since
they were not covered by health insurance
or health maintenance organisations. [12]
Nearly 60% of people
using complementary medicines were seeking
to prevent illness or maintain health; only
42% were using complementary medicines to
treat an illness. Chronic conditions such
as back and neck problems, anxiety, arthritis
and headaches were the most common reasons
given for using these medicines. As in Australia,
those who used complementary medicines in
the USA were mainly female with a university
education, aged 35-49 and of higher socioeconomic
status.
The total spends on complementary medicines
and therapies in Australia are in excess
of $2.3 billion per annum.
THE IMPACT TO PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE |
Despite moves to support
complementary medicines, it often seems
that there are two healthcare systems- conventional
and complementary that operates in parallel
without much interaction. It is estimated
that out of the patients who go to complementary
practitioners, over 70% do not inform their
doctor they are doing so.[9] This lack of
communication about complementary medicines
is potentially hazardous as it raises the
possibility of treatment interactions and
indicates a deficiency in the doctor-patient
relationship. This is even more significant
when it is considered that 83% of people
seeking complementary treatment for "serious
medical conditions" were found to be
receiving treatment from a medical doctor
for the same condition. [9]
The term "integrative
medicine" can be seen to describe medical
practice that aims for a balance between
its complementary aspects. Thus, integrative
medicine balances art and science, supportive
and curative therapies and aims for a true
partnership model whereby the practitioner
avoids a paternalistic attitude and fully
involves the patient in decision making
and the implementation of their therapy.
As well as describing medical practice that
is balanced, the practice of integrative
medicine can also be seen to involve principles
for choosing between different interventions.
Thus, "complementary medicines"
may be integrated into medical practice
by considering principles that include the
Hippocratic ethic of "first do no harm",
respect for patient autonomy and informed
consent as well as the treatments practicality,
cost effectiveness, evidence of efficacy
and applicability. When medicine is practiced
by applying a consideration of these principles
in the full context of a person's life,
it may be said to be "wholistic".
With integrative medicine
becoming widely supported, the achievement
of a truly integrated practice requires
collaboration across all medical disciplines
as well as support from government and professional
organisations. This is slowly happening
and recently organisations such as the Australian
Medical Council have stated that a "wholistic,
integrative approach is a prerequisite for
best orthodox practice" [10] and the
RACGP have advocated a "whole-person,
integrated approach". Certainly, the
practice of integrative medicine is fully
compatible with current best practice and
it is likely that in the future this type
of practice will be simply considered "good
medicine".
It is therefore obvious
that health professionals can no longer
ignore the rising interest in complementary
medicine by their patients.
THE DILEMMAS FOR THE HEALTH PROFESSIONAL |
The growth of complementary
medicine poses a range of dilemmas for the
medical profession.
GPs are mainly involved
in doing short consultations, where they
write prescriptions, order investigations
and refer to specialists. There is an enormous
opportunity for doctors to expand their
services by offering scientifically validated
complementary medicine modalities in their
treatment armamentarium.
It is essential that
doctors, especially GPs but also specialists,
have some understanding of what, on average
one-half of their patients are doing. Doctors
who are familiar with complementary medicine
modalities can be regarded a more completely
educated in general medicine and are more
likely to discuss complementary medicine
options with their patients in a non-judgemental
way.
Doctors will be better able to serve their
patients by integrating the science of conventional
medicine with the science of complementary
medicine. It is becoming increasingly more
necessary for doctors to be educated in
integrative medicine; otherwise their patients
will go elsewhere. In fact, not only in
the USA but in Australia, it is reported
that more members of the public visit a
complementary medicine health professional
than a doctor.
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There are, however, clear
pointers about the way in which the profession
may start to come to terms with the area.
It is important to recognize
that complementary medicines and some therapies
are well established and increasingly being
used by the public. It is expected that
such use will continue to increase.
Evaluation of a range
of complementary medicines and therapies
is currently being carried out by researchers
using scientific methodology. In the near
future, evidence based use of such medicines
and therapies will be supported by high
quality research. At the same time, training
in certain complementary therapies will
be increasingly undertaken by universities
and integrated into medical education.
This was emphasised by
the Australian Medical Association (AMA),
past Federal President, Dr Kerryn Phelps
at the AMA National Conference 2001.
"..as evidence emerges
that some complementary medicines are effective,
then it becomes ethically impossible for
the medical profession to ignore them.
The basis of judgement
must be on the basis of evidence concerning
safety, quality and efficacy. If such products
are being widely used then it becomes dangerous
to ignore the potential beneficial or adverse
effects when used in conjunction with mainstream
(conventional) medicines or in conjunction
with other herbs. On the other hand, if
the evidence does not support the use of
particular complementary medicines to therapies,
it is crucial that consumers and practitioners
- both mainstream and complementary - are
informed." [13]
Practitioners must be
aware of both situations in which complementary
medicines provide potential benefits to
patients as well as those where there may
potentially be adverse reactions or interactions
with prescription drugs. Complementary medicines
must be judged on an evidence basis and
medical practitioners can no longer make
judgments based on prejudice either for
or against complementary medicine.
EDUCATING THE INTEGRATIVE DOCTOR |
Throughout Europe, complementary
medicine has been very popular in the community
and also the medical profession. Several
of these medicines, especially herbal medicine
and homeopathy, are a significant part of
medical practice in Europe and have been
established for many years.
There has been a gradual introduction of
complementary medicine teachings in various
medical schools in Australia, Europe and
the United States. The British Medical Association
has encouraged the incorporation of complementary
therapies into the medical undergraduate
curriculum and postgraduate training. [14]
Furthermore, the British Medical Association
is in favour of doctors working with accredited
complementary medicine practitioners. The
European Parliament is working towards guaranteeing
the status of various forms of complementary
medicine in the 15 European Union member
countries. The Health Ministries of Singapore
and Malaysia have established national policy
to integrate traditional Chinese medicine
within mainstream medical practice for a
complete approach to community health care.
THE NEED FOR RESEARCH FUNDING |
It is crucial that governments
around the world fund research in complementary
medicine. We need to find out exactly how
much the practice of integrative medicine
can save the community. We also need to
find out what percentage of patients who
see their family doctors do so because they
want to prevent illness, and also what percentage
of the public consults complementary medicine
practitioners compared with consultations
with GPs.
The peak body organizations
seek with interest the increasing level
of scientific research being undertaken
in the areas of complementary medicine.
Scientific evidence provided by such studies
has the potential to lead to further integration
of primary health care to the point where
patients do not have to make a choice. Patients
can then openly discuss any and all potential
modes of diagnosis, treatment and prevention
with their GP and complementary medicine
practitioner.
SUPPORT FOR THE HEALTH PROFESSIONAL |
As indicated in this
article, the implementation of integrative
medicine in professional practice presents
a number of issues for the health professional
so that the best advice and treatment can
be provided to the patient.
Below is some valuable
resources and associations which specialise
in integrative medicine that is recommend
for all health professionals, educators
and students to review for their further
reference.
IMgateway.net (
www.imgateway.net )
IMgateway is currently
accessed by over 6,000 General Practitioners,
Allied Health Professionals and students,
including the following leading organisations,
Australasian Integrative Medicine Association
(AIMA), Medical accredited medical education
providers, the Western Australian General
Practice Education and Training organisation
(WAGPET), the Victorian Metropolitan Alliance
(VMA), Victoria Felix (VicFelix),
Epworth Hospital and The Prince Charles
Hospital Health Service District.
IMgateway
provides members with access to a wide range
of flexible and easy-to-use services including-
- Over
3,000 detailed scientific monographs that
uniquely present both conventional and
- complementary
treatment strategies
- Evidence based
information collected from over 3,000
industry-standard sources, including over
- 700 medical
and complementary journals
- Regularly updated
monographs, which include 350 conditions,
300 herbs, 250 supplements
- drug-nutrient
depletions, herb-drug and supplement-drug
interactions
- Peer-reviewed
information by 90 medical and complementary
medicine practitioners
- 3,000 Patient
information sheets
In addition, IMgateway
is supported by leaders in the field of
complementary medicine including-
Prof Marc Cohen, Department of Complementary
Medicine, RMIT University, Lesley Braun,
Leading consultant/Lecturer & Naturopath/Pharmacist
and Prof Avni Sali, Director, National Institute
of Integrative Medicine.
The Australasian Integrative
Medicine Association (AIMA) Inc. ( www.aima.net.au
)
The Australasian Integrative Medicine Association
(AIMA) Inc. is a national, voluntary non-profit
organisation. Our members consist of medical
practitioners who provide holistic health
care for their patients - integrating Western
medicine with complementary medicine. Associate
members include allied health professionals
including physiotherapists, nurses, dieticians,
pharmacists and other health professionals.
AIMA is officially affiliated with the Victorian
AMA (Australian Medical Association) and
the Graduate School of Integrative Medicine
at Swinburne University and
is recognised as a special interest group
by the RACGP (Royal Australian College of
General Practitioners). AIMA is widely recognised
as a responsible authority in holistic,
complementary and integrative medicine and
as an organisation that has been in existence
for over ten years, AIMA has made steady
progress in establishing credibility in
the field of Integrative Medicine.
AIMA seeks to provide:
- A support network
and forum for practitioners interested
in integrative medicine.
- Provision
of a website including a public referral
service.
- A
regular international conference.
- Publication
of a regular Journal (JAIMA)
- Representation
for members to medical institutions (AMA,
RACGP, HIC, etc.)
- Promotion
of high standards of professional ethics,
competence and conduct.
-
Networking with medical and government
organisations to promote the practice
of integrative medicine.
- Facilitation
of education through seminars,
CME meetings, workshops etc.
- Support for research
in integrative medicine.
- Member's benefits
such as discounts on annual conference,
products, insurance, finance etc
- The National Institute
of Integrative Medicine (NIIM) (
www.niim.com.au )
The National Institute
of Integrative Medicine (NIIM) aims to bring
together teaching, research and the practice
of Integrative Medicine and its allied activities
with the objectives of facilitating improved
understanding of the utilisation, safety
and limitations, evaluation and development
of complementary and alternative medicine
(CAM) to mainstream medicine. The Institute
is the outcome of many years of expertise
gathered from the management of the Graduate
School of Integrative Medicine (GSIM) originally
located at Swinburne University . This Institute
has achieved significant support from researchers
and practitioners in a collaborative effort
to promote research and education in Victoria
and Australia generally on numerous facets
associated with Integrative Medicine.
NIIM
seeks to expand the original mission of
GSIM and achieve the following aims:
- To establish quality
assurance teaching programs for medical
professionals and other allied health
personnel
- To contribute to and
support the development of an education
and a research culture in CAM which observes
the highest ethical standards,
- To facilitate collaborative
research into Integrative Medicine, drawing
on expertise in CAM and in research methodology,
- To source funding
for CAM research and disseminate research
findings and to assure students and prospective
research industry partners of the highest
possible standards, in particular in herbal
and other natural medicines,
- To disseminate information
about Integrative medicine to those involved
with healthcare delivery in all disciplines,
researchers, regulatory authorities and
the public,
- To establish a wellness
clinic that will provide integrative medical
care for the best possible health.
- To continue building
on our existing education and research
activities - to further enhance our innovative
reputation.
The NIIM belongs to a
network of partners from around the world
including Asia, Europe, the Middle East
and the United States of America. This network
provides the backbone structure of NIIM
teaching and research capabilities.
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