William Penn Life, 2002 (37. évfolyam, 1-11. szám)
2002-02-01 / 2. szám
the safety and effectiveness of an alternative therapy, and should not be the exclusive criterion for selecting a therapy. Controlled scientific trials usually provide the best information about a therapy's effectiveness and should be sought whenever possible. One place to find information on scientific trials is through the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and its Internet website, wzvw.nlm.nih.gov. For information about researching alternative medical therapies using the NLM, you can also contact the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) Clearinghouse toll-free at 1-888-644- 6226 and ask for the fact sheet, "Using Medline and Related Databases." Examine the Practitioner’s Expertise You may want to take a close look into the background, qualifications, and competence of any potential health care practitioner, whether a physician or a practitioner of alternative and complementary health care. • First, contact a state or local regulatory agency with authority over practitioners who practice the therapy or treatment you seek. The practice of CAM usually is not as regulated as the practice of conventional medicine. Licensing, accreditation, and regulatory laws, however, are increasingly being implemented. Local and state medical boards, other health regulatory boards or agencies, and consumer affairs departments provide information about a specific practitioner's license, education, and accreditation, and whether there are any complaints lodged against the practitioner. Check to see if the practitioner is licensed to deliver the services the practitioner says he or she delivers. Appropriate state licensing of education and practice is the only way to ensure that the practitioner is competent and provides quality services. Most types of complementary and alternative practices have national organizations of practitioners that are familiar with legislation, state licensing, certification, or Health Links For more information about complementary and alternative medicine, log onto the website of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at www.nccam.nih.com or call the NCCAM toll-free 1-888-644-6226. For links to CAM sites, log onto the Internet resources page of The Alternative Medicine HomePage at www.pittedul~cbwlsyst.html. registration laws. Some organizations will direct medical consumers to the appropriate regulatory agencies in their state. These organizations also may provide referrals and information about specific practitioners. The organizations usually do not function as regulatory authorities, but promote the services of their members. • Second, talk with those who have had experience with this practitioner, both health practitioners and other patients. Find out about the confidence and competence of the practitioner in question, and whether there have ever been any complaints from patients. • Third, talk with the practitioner in person. You should ask about the practitioner's education, additional training, licenses and certifications, both unconventional and conventional. You should also ask about the practitioner's approach to treatment and patients. Find out how open the practitioner is to communicating with patients about technical aspects of methods, possible side effects, and potential problems. When selecting a health care practitioner, many medical consumers seek someone knowledgeable in a wide variety of disciplines. Look for a practitioner who is easy to talk to. You should feel comfortable asking questions. After you select a practitioner, the education process and dialogue between you and your practitioner should become an ongoing aspect of your health care. Consider the Service Delivery The quality of the service delivery, or how the treatment or therapy is given and under what conditions, is an important issue. However, quality of service is not necessarily related to the effectiveness or safety of a treatment or practice. Visit the practitioner's office, clinic, or hospital. Ask the practitioner how many patients he or she typically sees in a day or week, and how much time the practitioner spends with the patient. Look at the conditions of the office or clinic. Many issues surround quality of service delivery, and each one individually does not provide conclusive and complete information. For example, are the costs of the service excessive for what is delivered? Can the service be obtained only in one place, requiring travel to that place? These issues may serve as warning signs of poor service. The primary issue to consider is whether the service delivery adheres to regulated standards for medical safety and care. Consider the Costs Many CAM treatments are not currently reimbursed by health insurance. Many patients pay directly for these services. Ask your practitioner and your health insurer which treatments or therapies are covered. Find out what several practitioners charge for the same treatment to better assess the costs. Regulatory agencies and professional associations also may provide cost information. Consult Your Healthcare Provider Most importantly, discuss all issues concerning treatments and therapies with your health care provider, whether a physician or practitioner of CAM. Competent health care management requires knowledge of botit conventional and alternative therapies for the practitioner to understand your treatment plan. NEXT MONTH: The pros and cons of CAM. [m] William fenn Life, February 2002 7
