Alternative Medicine. Policy of the AMA on alternative Alternative Medicine,: in order to promote future discussion and research about the efficacy, …
AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HOUSE OF DELEGATES
Resolution: 306 A-06 Introduced by: Subject: Medical Student Section Increasing Awareness of the Benefits and Risks Associated with Complementary and Alternative Medicine Reference Committee C Erin E Tracy, MD, Chair
Referred to:
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Whereas, Patient usage and acceptance of complementary and alternative medicine CAM is widespread and growing in the US; and Whereas, Current American Medical Association policy supports physicians routinely inquiring about the use of alternative or unconventional therapy by their patients, and to educate themselves and their patients about the state of scientific knowledge with regard to alternative therapy that may be used or contemplated AMA Policy H-480964; and Whereas, Despite growing public interest and support for CAM, a majority of physicians surveyed, as reported in the 2004 Summer edition of Behavioral Medicine, do not feel sufficiently
knowledgeable about CAM safety or efficacy and would like to receive more education on CAM modalities; and Whereas, According to a report issued by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the educational opportunities offered by US allopathic medical schools in CAM are inconsistent and sparse; therefore be it RESOLVED, That our American Medical Association support the incorporation of complementary and alternative medicine CAM in medical education as well as continuing medical education curricula, covering CAMs benefits, risks, and efficacy New HOD Policy
Fiscal Note: Staff cost estimated at less than 500 to implement Received: 5/2/06
Resolution: 306 A-06 Page 2
RELEVANT AMA POLICY H-480964 Alternative Medicine Policy of the AMA on alternative medicine is: 1 There is little evidence to confirm the safety or efficacy of most alternative therapies Much of the information currently known about these therapies makes it clear that many have not been shown to be
efficacious Well-designed, stringently controlled research should be done to evaluate the efficacy of alternative therapies 2 Physicians should routinely inquire about the use of alternative or unconventional therapy by their patients, and educate themselves and their patients about the state of scientific knowledge with regard to alternative therapy that may be used or contemplated 3 Patients who choose alternative therapies should be educated as to the hazards that might result from postponing or stopping conventional medical treatment CSA Rep 12, A-97; Reaffirmed: BOT Rep 36, A-02 H-480973 Unconventional Medical Care in the United States Our AMA: 1 encourages the Office of Alternative Medicine of the National Institutes of Health to determine by objective scientific evaluation the efficacy and safety of practices and procedures of unconventional medicine; and encourages its members to become better informed regarding the practices and techniques of alternative or unconventional
medicine; and 2 utilizes the National Institutes of Healths National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicines classification system of alternative medicine, Major Domains of Complementary and Alternative Medicine,: in order to promote future discussion and research about the efficacy, safety, and use of alternative medicine BOT Rep 15, A-94; Reaffirmed and Modified by Sub Res 514, I-95; Appended: Res 505, A-00
Source:ama-assn.org
