Assessment Description
Write a short (50-100-word) paragraph response for each question posed below. Submit this assignment as a Microsoft Word document.
Define CAM.
Describe the patient who uses CAM the most.
List some common misconceptions about CAM.
Identify methods of including the use of CAM in patient education.
Discuss the safe use of CAM.
List ways in which conventional medicine and CAM can be integrated.
Define ethical theories, ethical principles, and values.
Provide examples of ethical issues in patient education and compliance, and describe ways in which an effective professional/patient relationship and a poor health professional/patient relationship can impact these issues.
Explain what is meant by \”ethical patient education practices\”.
Explain the purpose of informed consent.
Discuss what factors determine the patient’s ability to give informed consent.
Compose a sample informed consent form. .
Discuss the process of communication to use with the patient and the family when obtaining informed consent.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Student’s Name
Institution
Course
Instructor’s Name
Date
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Define CAM
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a treatment regimen that falls outside of mainstream healthcare. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a term that defines medical products and practices that are not within the realm of standard medical care (Micozzi, 2019). It is often used to address the side effects of medical treatments (pain, nausea, fatigue, anxiety). Examples of CAM include acupuncture, Ayurveda, homeopathy, naturopathy, and Chinese or oriental medicine.
Describe the patient who uses CAM the most
The majority of people use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) alongside conventional medicine. According to Sharp et al. (2018), people who use CAM the most tend to be women. The majority of individuals use CAM to treat and prevent musculoskeletal conditions associated with chronic or recurring pain. Therefore, people experiencing musculoskeletal problems, specifically, back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, or knee pain are the most common users of CAM. People with mental disorders also use CAM.
- List some common misconceptions about CAM
- CAM is not used alongside conventional medicine
- CAM is superior to conventional medicine
- CAM is magic/witchcraft
- CAM does not work
Identify methods of including the use of CAM in patient education
Incorporating CAM in patient education is important to create awareness among patients. The health care provider should inform the patient if the use of herbal medicine is not safe in a sound and rational way (Micozzi, 2019). Additionally, the patient should consult a health care provider before using CAM strategies. Health providers should be fair and non0judgemental when discussing CAM with patients.
Discuss the safe use of CAM
Safety is an important aspect of care regardless of the method of treatment being used. Even the use of CAM requires serious attention to the safety of the patient. Some CAM therapies have been evaluated and approved to be safe and effective (Sharp et al., 2018). These types of CAM include yoga, acupuncture, medication, and others. However, some can be dangerous or might interact negatively with medications. Therefore, it is always important to consult a health care provider before using CAM.
List ways in which conventional medicine and CAM can be integrated
- Collaboration between the patient and care professionals is essential
- Integration should happen under proper guidance.
- Special care should be provided to prevent negative interactions.
- Effective evaluation is needed to select the most appropriate type of CAM
Define ethical theories, ethical principles, and values
Ethical theories are formal statements regarding what health care providers should do when faced with an ethical dilemma. They provide a wider framework of rules and principles that sever as a basis for courses of action (Scher & Kozlowska, 2018). Ethical principles are common goals that every theory focuses to achieve to be successful. These ethical principles include beneficence, respect, least harm, autonomy, and justice. Values are enduring and important beliefs or principles based on how one perceives life.
Examples of ethical issues in patient education and compliance
Patient education and compliance require health care providers to adhere to some ethical principles. Respect is an important ethical issue in achieving effective patient education and compliance (Scher & Kozlowska, 2018). Other issues include patient autonomy, privacy, dignity, safe care, and others. effective patient-professional relationships will have a positive influence on these ethical issues. On the other hand, poor patient-provider relationships will have a negative impact on ethical issues.
Explain what is meant by “ethical patient education practices
Ethical patient education practices are ways in which patients learn and make their own decisions regarding compliance and acceptance of the preferred treatment regimen. Through ethical patient education, health care providers can convince patients to make decisions that are guided by medical ethics and standards (Scher & Kozlowska, 2018). Ethical patient education is guided by the honesty, openness, and autonomy of the patient.
Explain the purpose of informed consent
Informed consent is the right of a patient to be informed about their treatment regimen, its importance, advantages, and side effects. The patients then make decisions to participate in the treatment willingly (Scher & Kozlowska, 2018). The primary purpose of informed consent is to protect patients’ interests, provide patients with essential information, and allow them to make informed decisions regarding their health.
Discuss what factors determine the patient’s ability to give informed consent
Some of the common factors that determine the patient’s ability to give informed consent include the patient’s age, the patient’s mental status, and the patient knowledge of the informed consent (Scher & Kozlowska, 2018). Before signing informed consent, the patient must be 18 years and older, when the individual is regarded as an adult. Additionally, the patient must be in the right mental status and be educated about their right to informed consent.
Compose a sample informed consent form
I [ patient’s name] ________________________, have received necessary education. Have adequately understood the information. Have agreed to participate in the proposed treatment regimen.
Patient Signature__________ Date____________
Witness Signature__________ Date____________
Procedural Physician Signature__________ Date____________
Discuss the process of communication to use with the patient and the family when obtaining informed consent
Honest and open communication with patients and families is very essential when obtaining informed consent. Honest and open communication will promote trust and respect among stakeholders (Scher & Kozlowska, 2018). The healthcare provider should ensure that the patient has received and understood necessary information about their health, as well as the proposed treatment regimen.
References
Micozzi, M. S. (2019). Fundamentals of complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine. Elsevier.
Sharp, D., Lorenc, A., Morris, R., Feder, G., Little, P., Hollinghurst, S., … & MacPherson, H. (2018). Complementary medicine use, views, and experiences: a national survey in England. BJGP open, 2(4). https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgpopen18X101614
Scher, S. R., & Kozlowska, K. (2018). Rethinking health care ethics. Palgrave Macmillan.