Friday, 23 October, 2009
Complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) have become the fastest growing approach to help resolve or diminish the severity of medical challenges and the nuances of everyday living. With the advent of the seasonal influenza and the ‘swine flu’ (H1N1) there has been much talk about the availability of vaccine, who will and who will not opt-in to be vaccinated.
To help resolve the issue of availability and one’s choice, to not be vaccinated, numerous individuals may turn to CAM to boost their immune system and additionally practice common preventative measures such as hand washing. It is important to talk to your health care provider or health care practitioner who is knowledgeable about CAM and dietary supplements. Some dietary supplements interact with prescribed medications ,there by causing an adverse effect. Safe care can be the best care!
Tuesday, 14 July, 2009
I have talked about the positive aspects of building relationships, forging a sense of community and collaborating. We need to have honest dialogue to accomplish these goals. There are two phenomenon occurring at the same time in the health care industry which do not sustain a meaningful relationship and building community. They are a decrease in conversation between persons and the absence of quality care. With the increasing use of technological messaging in society, researchers are finding there there has been a decrease in conversations, talking.
A survey conducted by NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) and the AARP indicated that 63% of people 50 or older use some form of CAM an only 31% of those users discuss CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) with their health care providers. In addition, it was the users of CAM who initiated dialogue with their providers.
Reason for not talking? In Too many health care settings the patient is given a medical history form to fill out. Excluding NPs and PAs, very few providers talk with their patients regarding the patient’s present and past medical history.
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Monday, 5 January, 2009
Today, with an increasing older population and inadequate health system, there is an accompanying interest in complementary and alternative therapies.
One of the goals of The Healthy People 2010 Report is to increase the quality of life and years of life of all individuals. I am assuming that “years of life” refers to “longevity” or life expectancy. The United States rank # 19 with a life expectancy of 78.9 years and Japan ranks #1 with a life expectancy of 82.9 years for women. Men in the U.S. rank #25/ 72.5 years and Japan rank #1/76.4 years.
The focus areas of the report include, among others, health communication, heart disease & stroke, and nutrition & overweight. All these focus areas are included as risk factor for the Metabolic Syndrome. A poor nutritional status and obesity are risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Health illiteracy is a risk factor for a sundry of medical conditions and chronic diseases. Where is the quality of life if there is increased longevity and a decrease in the numbers of health care providers, access to health care and the quality of service?
Simply stated, age is a factor for most chronic diseases. The number of people who use CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) is increasing among adults and older adults do not discuss their use of CAM with their providers. This is one reason why communication/dialogue is important between the primary care provider and the patient. This does not happen in a fifteen minute session. As a result, patients seek other therapies such as CAM.
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