Introduction
Healthcare professionals consider emerging concepts and ideas to improve care delivery. Some combine traditional practices with evidence-based medical procedures to meet the demands of more patients. These practices would be essential when providing patient education. This paper describes the major issues surrounding complementary alternative medicine (CAM) and its place in patient education.
Definition
The term complementary alternative medicine (CAM) refers to any medical process and/or product that is not part of standard medical strategy or practice. Such an approach is capable of delivering healing benefits and experiences to the targeted patient. While the model might be scientifically unproven, chances of improving patients’ health experiences and outcomes tend to be higher (Bahall & Legall, 2017). CAM is usually combined with conventional medical practices to ensure that that maximize outcomes are eventually recorded.
Common Patients
The typical patient who embraces the use of CAM is aged 50 years or more. Females tend to fall under this category. In most of the cases, the beneficiary of a CAM is a person who is suffering from a unique kind of chronic disease, such as cancer. This individual will be relying on CAM to manage some of the emerging side effects or complications of the disease, such as chronic pain (Hajbaghery & Mokhtari, 2018). In most of the cases, such a typical user of CAM takes traditional medical practices seriously, such as herbs. The individual would most probably belong to the Asian countries that embrace different therapies and non-conventional medical practices.
Misconceptions
Although the use of CAM is becoming common in different regions, several misconceptions continue to exist that people should take into consideration. First, some analysts believe or argue that CAM has the potential to replace modern or western medical processes. Such a thought it erroneous and might affect the nature and effectiveness of medical practices (Bahall & Legall, 2017). Second, some patients and marketers think that such products are vetted and safe for use while in real sense they are not. Third, some people identify alternative medicine as products and therapies that amount to body-mind-spirit medical care. Fourth, some skeptics misconceive and argue that alternative medical products and processes are ineffective.
Methods
Medical practitioners can consider various methods to include the use of CAM in patient education. The first one is introducing some of the CAM approaches in care delivery so as to maximize patients’ awareness. The second one could be to outline some of the CAM procedures in campaigns focusing on health promotion (Agarwal, 2018). The third method can be identifying patients with diverse backgrounds and educating them as a group. The model will ensure that they are involved and willing to appreciate the benefits of CAM. Additionally, hospitals can include CAM in all educational programs and initiatives focusing on the medical demands of different patients.
Safe Use
CAM is not scientifically proven or acceptable within the realm of modern medicine. This gap explains why practitioners and medical professionals should begin by completing researches and identifying what works well in what group of patients. The experts can also gather adequate data to understand how different CAM approaches meet the demands of patients. Professionals can formulate proper strategies for combining CAM and conventional procedures to maximize the targeted outcomes (Bahall & Legall, 2017). The involvement of traditionalists and medical practices can streamline the care delivery process. Careful examination is also necessary to ensure that the targeted CAM resonates with the personal attributes and responsiveness of the patient to avoid possible side effects.
Integration
The integration of CAM and conventional medicine is a common practice. The first approach for achieving such an aim is providing the necessary treatment methods and relying on CAM to manage adverse complications, such as pain (Agarwal, 2018). Practitioners can also merge drugs with acupuncture and physiotherapy to treat specific conditions. The third approach could be to treat patients using conventional medicine while in hospitals and introducing CAM while at home. The fourth one could be to introduce CAM in hospitals to treat specific conditions, include depression and arthritis.
Ethical Theories, Ethical Principles, and Values
Ethical theories are concepts that guide and encourage people to behave ad act in acceptable manner. Such models are founded on the social contract theory and allow people to avoid doing harm to others. Ethical principles are guidelines for dictating people’s moral obligations. Such principles make it easier for people to focus on the wellness and outcomes of their colleagues, neighbors, and friends (Bahall & Legall, 2017). Such concepts are capable of guiding people to act in an acceptable manner and support one another. Values or attributes that define people’s character, opinions, and behavior. Some of the core values in medicine include empathy, integrity, justice, benevolence, and respect.
Ethical Issues
In patient compliance and education, some ethical issues can arise that require timely attention. Some include providing erroneous information to some individuals based on their skin color, age, or ethnicity, failing to provide proper language interpretations, and ignoring some of the participants. Some educators might also provide subjects or content that might be inappropriate for the beneficiaries (Hajbaghery & Mokhtari, 2018). The involved professional might be unresponsive, provide erroneous information, or fail to respect the followers. The poor professional-patient relationship will affect the targeted outcomes. The beneficiaries might withdraw and affect the effectiveness of the learning process. An effective relationship will encourage all participants to be involved and learn more about the intended content.
Ethical Patient Education Practices
These practices are initiatives that medical professionals consider when providing education to different patients. They will do so by following all ethical principles, values, and standards. The information needs to be unbiased and capable of empowering the beneficiaries to achieve their health potential (Hajbaghery & Mokhtari, 2018). The individuals will then be ready to make informed decisions and address their personal medical challenges. The professionals will treat will patients equally, offer additional incentives, and remain supportive throughout the process.
Informed Consent
The concept of informed consent has become helpful since it allows medical experts to inform the patient and receive his or her consent. In most of the cases, medical procedures tend to be invasive and dangerous. Some studies and educational processes should also be dictated by the rights and autonomy of the patient (Joyce et al., 2016). Focusing on such attributes will allow the patient to be aware of the medical exercise and some of the potential harms and benefits. The patient will, therefore, be in total control of the medical process and eventually record positive health outcomes or experiences.
Giving Informed Consent
Patients should be empowered and free to provide the relevant informed consent. However, some factors are capable of dictating their ability to do so. For instance, the nature of the relationship existing between the caregiver and the patient will dictate the process. The absence or possession of adequate information will dictate how the individual offers informed consent (Joyce et al., 2016). The mental capability of a given patient would dictate his or her ability to give the much needed informed consent. The involved professionals should consider these factors and provide the relevant support and guidance where necessary to streamline the process.
Informed Consent Form: Sample
- I, _____________________________ agree to a medical procedure namely_____________________________, at ____________________________ on this day: __________________ of 2021.
- The purpose of the procedure is ___________________________________ which shall be performed on:_______________________ and the authorizing supervisor is:______________________
- I have communicated with my family and doctor about the same.
- The benefits of this medical procedure include:__________________________________________________________
- The risks and effects of this procedure: __________________________________________________________________
- Other treatment options include: ____________________________________
- The risks of this new option: _______________________________________
- Recovery time is: ______________________________________
- Medications to be used during and after the procedure include ____________________________ and the side-effects are outlined below: ____________________________________________________________________________
- I am aware that my blood sample will be screened and tested for other conditions, including HIV/AIDS for medical purposes only.
- The doctor can change the process and exercise should complications arise.
- Positive outcomes from this medical exercise are not warranted.
Patient’s Name: ____________________
Patient’s Signature: ______________
Date: _______________
Communication Process
Medical professionals should begin by examining the provided laws on the anticipated medical procedures. This method will allow them to offer the right information to the patient and close family members. The experts need to be compassionate and focus on the outlined ethical principles (Hajbaghery & Mokhtari, 2018). They need to remain caring, compassionate, and truthful. They should offer the right information, including the possible challenges.
Conclusion
The above discussion has identified CAM is a common form of medical treatment that can be combined with modern medicine to meet the needs of more patients. Professionals need to consider the major challenges and opportunities when providing patient education. Such experts should identify what works well, be aware of the misconceptions, and promote ethical practices. The outlined attributes will eventually streamline the provision of medical services.
References
Agarwal, V. (2018). Complementary and alternative medicine provider knowledge discourse on holistic health. Frontiers in Communication, 3(15). Web.
Bahall, M., & Legall, G. (2017). Knowledge, attitudes, and practices among health care providers regarding complementary and alternative medicine in Trinidad and Tobago. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 17(144), 1-13. Web.
Hajbaghery, M. A., & Mokhtari, R. (2018). Complementary and alternative medicine and holistic nursing care: The necessity for curriculum revision. Journal of Complementary Medicine and Alternative Healthcare, 5(4), 555666. Web.
Joyce, P., Wardle, J., & Zaslawski, C. (2016). Medical student attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in medical education: A critical review. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, 13(4), 333-345. Web.