Complementary and Alternative Medical Education
Authors: Miriam S. Wetzel, Ted J. Kaptchuk, David M. Eisenberg, Aviad Haramati
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2004)

Letters6 January 2004Complementary and Alternative Medical EducationMiriam S. Wetzel, PhD, Ted J. Kaptchuk, OMD, David M. Eisenberg, MD, and Aviad Haramati, PhDMiriam S. Wetzel, PhDFrom Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115; Harvard Medical School Osher Institute, Boston, MA 02115; and Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007.Search for more papers by this author, Ted J. Kaptchuk, OMDFrom Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115; Harvard Medical School Osher Institute, Boston, MA 02115; and Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007.Search for more papers by this author, David M. Eisenberg, MDFrom Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115; Harvard Medical School Osher Institute, Boston, MA 02115; and Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007.Search for more papers by this author, and Aviad Haramati, PhDFrom Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115; Harvard Medical School Osher Institute, Boston, MA 02115; and Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-140-1-200401060-00023 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:In his criticism, Dr. Neff raises a few points we can agree with. It is precisely because there are so many entrepreneurs promoting treatments and products under the rubric of CAM that doctors and other legitimate health care providers need to be knowledgeable about CAM. As we point out, the average person needs help to sort out the unproven and possibly harmful treatments and products from those that are supported by evidence. Who better to supply this help and advice than a well-educated, knowledgeable physician? We also agree that CAM therapies should be tested for safety and efficacy ...References1. Stokstad E. Alternative medicine. Stephen Straus's impossible job. Science. 2000;288:1568-70. [PMID: 10858130] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Kessler RC, Davis RB, Foster DF, Van Rompay MI, Walters EE, Wilkey SA, et al . Long-term trends in the use of complementary and alternative medical therapies in the United States. Ann Intern Med. 2001;135:262-8. [PMID: 11511141] LinkGoogle Scholar3. Eisenberg DM, Davis RB, Ettner SL, Appel S, Wilkey S, Van Rompay M, et al . Trends in alternative medicine use in the United States, 1990-1997: results of a follow-up national survey. JAMA. 1998;280:1569-75. [PMID: 9820257] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115; Harvard Medical School Osher Institute, Boston, MA 02115; and Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoLong-Term Trends in the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medical Therapies in the United States Ronald C. Kessler , Roger B. Davis , David F. Foster , Maria I. Van Rompay , Ellen E. Walters , Sonja A. Wilkey , Ted J. Kaptchuk , and David M. Eisenberg Complementary and Alternative Medical Therapies: Implications for Medical Education Miriam S. Wetzel , Ted J. Kaptchuk , Aviad Haramati , and David M. Eisenberg Complementary and Alternative Medical Education Samuel Neff Complementary and Alternative Medical Education Peter Manu Complementary and Alternative Medical Education Edzard Ernst Complementary and Alternative Medical Education Mary P. Guerrera Metrics 6 January 2004Volume 140, Issue 1Page: 68-69KeywordsComplementary and alternative medicineForecastingHealth careHealth care providersMedical educationPatientsPrimary care physiciansResearch fundingSafety ePublished: 6 January 2004 Issue Published: 6 January 2004 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2004 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...