copyright © 2008 delmar learning. all rights reserved. unit 37 alternative, complementary, and...

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.

Unit 37Alternative, Complementary,

and Integrative Approaches

to Patient Care


Objectives

• Spell and define terms.• Define alternative medicine.• Differentiate alternative practices from

complementary and integrative practices.

• List five categories of alternative and complementary therapies.


Objectives

• Define holistic care.• List at least three ways in which the

nursing assistant supports patients’ spirituality.


Alternatives to Mainstream Health Care

• When most people in Western society think of medical care– They think of medical, surgical,

pharmaceutical, and technological treatment of patients.



• In the United States– These practices and techniques are the

accepted, traditional, mainstream approaches to patient care and healing of illness.



• Throughout history:– People have actively sought out other

forms of healing the sick.



• Today, some people prefer natural and spiritual treatments for illnesses.

• Others are afraid of the technology, drugs, and surgical procedures of today.



• Because of this and other reasons– Many people use alternative health care

practices and products to prevent and treat illnesses.


Complementary and Alternative Practices

• Hundreds of different alternative therapies may be used instead of traditional medicine.

• For example:– Some patients use herbs, supplements,

and diet to treat cancer instead of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.


Using CAM

• Alternative and complementary practices have become very popular in recent years.

• Many of these therapies are thought to stimulate the body to heal itself.


Using CAM

• They are also used to strengthen weak body systems and to reduce or eliminate the discomfort of some medical signs and symptoms, such as pain and nausea.


Using CAM

• Patients with cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and HIV disease – Commonly use complementary/alternative

medicine (CAM) practices


Integrative (Integrated) Health Care Practices

• Some researchers estimate:– That at least 50 percent of the American

public uses at least one form of alternative or complementary treatment.



• Because of this:– Many hospitals have opened specialized

units and clinics in which integrative (integrated) health care is practiced.



• Integrative health care:– Uses both mainstream medical treatments

and CAM therapies to treat the patient.


Common CAM Therapies

• Commonly used in integrative practice in hospital units and clinics:– Acupuncture– Anthroposophically Extended Medicine

(AEM)– Aromatherapy– Art therapy, dance therapy– Ayurveda



• Commonly used in integrative practice in hospital units and clinics:– Biofeedback– Chelation therapy– Chiropractic care– Color therapy– Electromagnetic therapy– Herbal therapy



• Commonly used in integrative practice in hospital units and clinics:– Homeopathy– Hypnotherapy– Light therapy– Massage therapy– Meditation



• Commonly used in integrative practice in hospital units and clinics:– Movement therapy– Naturopathic medicine– Nutrition therapy– Prayer– Qigong– Reflexology



• Commonly used in integrative practice in hospital units and clinics:– Reiki– Therapeutic touch– Traditional Chinese medicine– Visualization– Yoga

copyright © 2008 delmar learning. all rights reserved. unit 37 alternative, complementary, and...

Documents