Clinical Decision Making in Complementary & Alternative Medicine

Description

There are few published texts that address professional practice issues in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). There are no known works that describe a clinical framework for CAM practice. The majority of texts on CAM to date explore the use or efficacy of specific CAM interventions, and whilst the proposed text will also highlight evidence-based interventions, it will also inform practitioners how to apply these interventions within a clinical decision-making framework.

• Introduces a systematic framework to CAM clinical practice
• Focus on evidence-based practice without ignoring the underlying philosophy of complementary and alternative medicine.
• Includes learning objectives and learning activities to not only consolidate reader knowledge, but to assist educators to effectively teach the process to students of CAM.
• Enables CAM practitioners to systematically assess, diagnose, treat and evaluate client-centred health problems in accordance with CAM art, science and philosophy.
• Guides CAM practitioner thinking, assessment and care, which may help to increase professional autonomy and practitioner accountability; improve client outcomes and quality of care; and reduce decision-making error.

Table of Contents

PART A: Theoretical Foundation

1. Introduction
2. Rapport
3. Assessment
4. Diagnosis
5. Planning
6. Application - Evidence Based Practice
7. Application - Integrative Health Care
8. Review

PART B: Practical Application

9. Application of decision-making framework for complementary and alternative medicine

Case 1 Acne vulgaris/rosacea
Case 2 Anxiety
Case 3 Asthma
Case 4 Chronic venous insufficiency
Case 5 Dysmenorrhoea
Case 6 Eczema/dermatitis
Case 7 Irritable bowel syndrome
Case 8 Migraine
Case 9 Osteoarthritis
Case 10 Psoriasis

Appendix: Decision-making Framework for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Template

Author Information

By Matthew Leach, RN, BN(Hons), PhD, MATMS