American Medical Association:
Alternative Approaches to Health Care Gaining in Popularity
According to an article released by the American Medical Association on November
13, 2000, "a growing number of medical schools, teaching hospitals and physicians
are opening clinics that combine conventional medicine and evidence-based alternative
medicine." Chiropractic is one of five alternatives that are listed as "the
most researched forms of complementary" medicines used in the clinics.
The article names the following as evidence that alternative care is gaining
popularity among MD's:
- There are more than 20 integrative medicine centers nationally that are
associated with medical schools and teaching hospitals.
- A new integrative medicine center opened recently at Duke University.
- A 1997 Harvard University study estimated that 40% of the population has
tried alternative medicine, up from 33% in 1993. Money spent on alternative
medicine during that period increased 35%.
- Earlier in 2000, 10 schools united to form the Academic Consortium for Integrative
Medicine, including Duke, Stanford University, and the University of California,
San Francisco.
- A survey by Consumer Reports found 55% of physicians approve of their patients
seeking complementary treatments.
Dr. Martin Sullivan, MD, and director of the Duke Center for Integrative Medicine
in Durham, N.C., was quoted as saying, "My bet is in the next five years it
will be common for medical schools to have an integrative medicine program."
The other four alternatives listed as "the most researched forms of complementary"
medicines included massage therapy, relaxation therapy, herbal or vitamin supplements,
and acupuncture.
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