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Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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Family Medicine

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Abstract

A family physician guided by evidence finds themselves in a difficult position regarding complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). There is little evidence for the efficacy of these compounds, and sometimes no evidence for their safety. On the other hand, patients are likely to use them. In 2007, 38% of adults in the USA used some form of complementary or alternative medicine according to the CDC National Health Statistics Report #12 [1]. It is important for a physician to maintain a welcoming atmosphere, in which a patient is comfortable discussing any and all forms of CAM they might be using, so they may provide important information to the patient about the possible benefits, limitations and risks of these methods [2].

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA

    William Hay

  2. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA

    Laurey Steinke

  3. The Center for Mindful Living, Omaha, NE, USA

    Louisa Foster

Authors
  1. William Hay
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  2. Laurey Steinke
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  3. Louisa Foster
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Correspondence to William Hay .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine, University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE, USA

    Paul Paulman

  2. Department of Family and Community Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA

    Robert B. Taylor

  3. Department of Family Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA

    Audrey A. Paulman

  4. Department of Family Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA

    Laeth S. Nasir

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Hay, W., Steinke, L., Foster, L. (2021). Complementary and Alternative Medicine. In: Paulman, P., Taylor, R.B., Paulman, A.A., Nasir, L.S. (eds) Family Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0779-3_143-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0779-3_143-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-0779-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-0779-3

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