Alternative vs Traditional Integrated Care

Question 1

What is the difference between alternative health and complementary health?

Answer 1

Alternative health uses nonmainstream approach ONLY, while complementary health uses both non-mainstream approach and conventional medicine

Question 2

True or False: Alternative health is associated with a lower risk of death in cancer patients.

Answer 2

False; Alternative health poses a higher risk of death in cancer patients

Question 3

Combination of psychological and yoga or psychological and nutrition (mindful eating) are examples of which type of health?

Answer 3

Complementary health; nonmainstream approach + conventional medicine

Question 4

In general, how is complementary health classified?

Answer 4

Complementary health is classified by its main therapeutic input: nutritional, psychological and physical

Question 5

What is “whole person health”?

Answer 5

Whole person health refers to helping individuals or communities to restore their health in “multiple interconnected domains” instead of just focusing on treating a disease

Question 6

What combination is medicinal plants?

Answer 6

“Natural products” and Nutritional

Question 7

What combination is yoga?

Answer 7

Psychological and physical

Question 8

What combination is surgery?

Answer 8

Physical and devices

Question 9

What combination is “mindful body practices”?

Answer 9

Psychological and physical

Question 10

What are the two main safety concerns of natural medicines like conventional medicines?

Answer 10

• Drugs can interact with nutritional supplements
• contamination/poisoning of supplements, especially with overdosage

Question 11

True/False; Only unhealthy people in need of care will benefit from Integrated Health.

Answer 11

False; Both healthy and unhealthy people will benefit from Integrated care

Question 12

True or False; One benefit of integrated health care is that is can substitute medical care.

Answer 12

False; integrated care is not a substitute for medical care especially with the lack of evidence behind this approach. Integrative medicine should be used with regular medical care.

Question 13

What is one consequence or disadvantage of integrated health care?

Answer 13

Consumerism

Question 14

What are the five categories of CAM (complementary and alternative medicine)?

Answer 14

Mind-body therapies (meditation)

Biological therapies

Biofield therapies (manipulates invisible energy fields)

body-based therapies (physical movement of body part(s) for therapeutic benefits)

Whole medicine systems (beliefs and practices that work together)

Question 15

Identify the category of CAM based on the example, yoga, hypnosis, biofeedback, tai chi and meditation:

Answer 15

Mind-body therapies

Question 16

Identify the category of CAM based on the example, dietary supplements, botanicals and special diets/foods:

Answer 16

Biological therapies

Question 17

Identify the category of CAM based on the example, therapeutic touch and reiki:

Answer 17

Biofield therapies

Question 18

Identify the category of CAM based on the example, massage, reflexology and chiropractic therapy

Answer 18

body-based therapies

Question 19

Identify the category of CAM based on the example, traditional Chinese medicine systems, ayuverdic medicine, homeopathic and naturopathic medicine:

Answer 19

whole medicine systems

Question 20

What are the important things to understand about the CAM industry?

Answer 20

• There is a large domestic demand for CAM products
• The use of CAM varies regionally; Western Canada uses CAM more than Eastern Canada
• There is an increase in the exportation of health products due to natural health products and;
• Canada has a very strong global reputation for producing high quality natural health products

Question 21

What is the outlook for the CAM industry?

Answer 21

• More revenue and expenditure as Canadians increase their buying power
• Growth of the industry as more people become increasingly health conscious

Question 22

What are the most commonly used CAM techniques?

Answer 22

massage, relaxation techniques, chiropractic care and yoga, and spiritual healing.

Question 23

What is the Trojan Horse of Integrative Medicine?

Answer 23

Integrative medicine is like a hollow tower that looks similar to conventional medicine but lacks research and evidence to be effective.

Question 24

What were the main messages of the article on the Trojan Horse of Integrative Medicine

Answer 24

• Natural does not always mean it is safe
• Choosing integrative care is a personal decision
• Make informed choices if you choose integrative care
• If you believe it will work, there is a better chance that it will