PLEASE RESPOND TO THE FOLLOWING POST OF A CLASSMATE IN 100 WORDS, Remember that your posts must be substantive and contribute to the dialogue that is taking place. :
The collaboration of alternative medicine practitioners with Western medical practice may be different, some may consider them as partners and others as adversaries. On the one hand, alternative practitioners alter the approach by offering complementing approaches such as holistic healing, personalized treatment, and natural remedies (Rakel & Minichiello, 2020). With their focus on tackling root causes and general well-being, they share common ground with the patient-centered orientation in Western medicine. Incorporating modalities like chiropractic care, acupuncture or massage therapy into the usual treatments expands the options, and consequently, makes individual choice and preference possible (Rakel & Minichiello, 2020).
Discrepancy between Western medicine and alternative methods of care can develop because of different philosophical backgrounds, treatment techniques, and regulatory standards. According to critics, some alternative medicines have no enough evidence of effectiveness and safety which could spur conflicts between science-based medicine and evidence-based medicine. Besides diverse educational backgrounds and scope of practices, gaps in knowledge are also the factors that lead to the miscommunication within the healthcare community (Rakel & Minichiello, 2020). Nevertheless, meaningful collaboration and communication between the clinicians in both professions is paramount and it would generate mutual respect and understanding among them. It largely depends on accepting a holistic, patient-oriented approach of care.
References
Rakel, D. P., & Minichiello, V. (Eds.). (2022). Integrative Medicine, eBook: Integrative Medicine, eBook. Elsevier health sciences.
Your analysis effectively highlights the nuanced dynamics between alternative medicine and Western medical practice. Integrating complementary approaches like chiropractic care or acupuncture alongside conventional treatments indeed broadens patient options and aligns with the patient-centered ethos increasingly emphasized in Western medicine.
Your acknowledgment of potential conflicts arising from differing philosophical backgrounds, treatment methods, and regulatory standards is astute. Addressing concerns about evidence and safety is crucial for fostering collaboration and trust between these disciplines. Emphasizing holistic, patient-oriented care as a common goal is a key insight, underlining the importance of communication and mutual respect among healthcare professionals. Collaboration rooted in understanding can ultimately enhance patient outcomes.