Complementary therapy refers to therapeutic and diagnostic techniques that are used as an extension of modern medicine. A good example would be the use of acupuncture to aid in the reduction of discomfort, in the case of someone who has undergone a surgery. On the other hand, alternative therapies refer to other modes of treating ailments that are not practiced or taught by conventional medical professionals. They are used to substitute the accepted standards of medicine (Wong, 2019). Some examples of these include traditional medicine and faith healing. Alternative therapies give the notion that one does not need to visit healthcare centers so as to be cured.
Increase in the use of non-conventional medication comes with implications for health care givers. Such as, the danger of the patient not disclosing their use of complementary therapies that might react negatively if mixed with the medication given at the hospitals. There is also the chance that the patient will opt not to take the medication given due to their belief in alternative medicine. Both of these cases could lead to the inexplicable loss of life which might be blamed on the healthcare provider (Mann et al., 2004).
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There is no scientific proof to support the use and effectiveness of the above therapies as opposed to conventional medicine. However their efficacy is justified by the use of unscientific models such as the positive experiences and expectations displayed by the patient (Buckner et al., 2018). The use of these therapies are considered to be antidotes that aid the patient in getting better despite their critical medical condition, also referred to as the placebo effect.
From the above it is clear to see that despite the praise given to non-conventional forms of medicine as being all natural, there is a need to keep on educating the public on the need to seek the already proven forms of medicine for a better life. It also brings to light that healthcare professionals need to keep up to date with these therapies so as to give better service to their patients regardless of their beliefs.
Resources
Mann, D., Gaylord, S., & Norton, S. K. (2004). Integrating Complementary & Alternative Therapies with Conventional Care. The Convergence of Complementary, Alternative & Conventional Health Care: Educational Resources for Health Professionals , 5-12.
Wong, C. (2019, August 23). Alternative vs. Complementary Medicine. Retrieved from verywellhealth: https://www.verywellhealth.com/alternative-vs-complementary-medicine-88731
Buckner, C. A., Lafrenie, R. M., Dénommée, J. A., Caswell, J. M., & Want, D. A. (2018). Complementary and alternative medicine use in patients before and after a cancer diagnosis. Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.) , 25 (4), e275–e281. doi:10.3747/co.25.3884
