March 2001 I F a M I L Y P R a C T I C E M a N a G E M E N T I 37 Complementary and Alternative Medicine: a Primer

IL LU ST R A TI O N B Y K A R EN W O O Like it or not, our patients are using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Studies show that CAM is the fastest growing area in health care today. In 1997, an estimated 42 percent of the U.S. population used some form of alternative therapy.1 The numbers are even higher in family practice settings: One study found that 50 percent of patients were using at least one alternative therapy – and only half of them had told their family physician.2 To continue to provide quality care, we need a basic knowledge of CAM therapies and communication skills that will encourage patients to talk with us about the alternative therapies they’re using so that we can offer appropriate guidance and advice. This article is meant to provide those two things. It is not meant to encourage you to use CAM therapies in your practice.