Complementary alternative medicine in health and mental health: implications for social work practice

An Examination of the Holism Paradigm: A View of Social Work

This article examines the holism paradigm, implications on social work practice in healthcare, and how social work practice can help promote the value of social justice. Examining the holistic health paradigm fosters a critical reflection that assists to better understand beliefs and assumptions that guide social work practice, thus leading to critical action.

Patient-Physician Communication Regarding Use of Complementary Therapies During Cancer Treatment

It is estimated that as many as 80% of adult cancer patients use at least one form of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) during or after conventional treatment. Studies of physician-patient communication about the use of CAM have concluded that patients frequently do not tell their oncologists about their use of CAM and physicians consistently underestimate the numbers of their patients using CAM. The purpose of this multi-site study was to assess newly diagnosed cancer patients' and oncologists' communication practices with regard to complementary therapies. Patients (106 breast and 82 prostate) indicated which of 45 complementary therapies they were using while physicians at their institutions indicated which they supported. It is noted that, although we use the popular acronym "CAM" all patients surveyed were receiving conventional medical treatment. Thus, the survey addressed complementary therapies only. A large majority (84%) indicated they were using at least one therapy with the most popular being exercise, vitamins, prayer, and nutritional supplements. Surprisingly, the oncologists surveyed were generally enthusiastic and supportive of patients' use of complementary therapies. In addition to those therapies popular with patients, at least half the physicians supported massage, journal writing, support groups, acupuncture, biofeedback, and art therapy. However, discussions of CAM are relatively rare and most likely to be initiated by patients. When the topic is discussed, both patients and doctors say it usually enhances their relationship. Implications for CAM program development and oncology professionals' roles in patient education regarding complementary therapies are presented.

Helping Patients Make Decisions About Complementary and Alternative Treatments

Increasingly people are using complementary and alternative modalities (CAM) to cope with and manage cancer. Many patients, however, do not know how to access credible information and make informed treatment decisions. Social workers are in a unique position in the healthcare team to facilitate patients' decision-making about CAM. Skills and techniques to educate patients and to help them communicate with their healthcare practitioners about CAM are described. The authors introduce questions patients should ask to make better-informed treatment decisions, and describe social work interventions to help patients explore their choices in the context of personal history, meaning, beliefs and lifestyle. Lastly, the position of the social worker vis à vis the institution and its stance on CAM is explored.

The relationship between marriage and family therapists and complementary and alternative medicine approaches: a qualitative study

In this article, we delineate the qualitative phase of a mixed-method research study focused on understanding the relationship between Clinical Members of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) and complementary alternative medicine (CAM). Based on an analysis of the data derived from telephone interviews with 54 respondents, we describe four themes: definitional issues, depth of awareness of CAM, fit with MFT, and ethical considerations. Our discussion focuses on the findings of this phase, considerations from the quantitative phase, and reflections on the research study as a whole. While acknowledging the limitations of the study, we conclude that the growing awareness of and involvement with CAM approaches and practitioners among MFTs suggest a need for further education for both professionals and clients. We also note the importance of additional research support for the use of CAM practices.

Mind-body interventions: applications for social work practice

In the past decade, we have seen an increase in the popularity of mind-body medicine as an alternative or complement to traditional health care interventions. This paper explores the history of mind-body medicine and how particular mind-body interventions focusing on stress reduction and relaxation can be useful complements to social work practice. Four types of mind-body interventions are described, research on their effectiveness is reviewed, conclusions are drawn, and the applicability to social work practice is discussed. Given existing empirical support for the effectiveness of these interventions, the authors suggest that efforts at both the systems and individual levels, including changes in social work education, can be made to enhance their use in traditional health settings, as well in other types of settings.