Positive Health Online

Abstract

EISENBERG and colleagues, Division for Research and Education in Complementary an Integrative Medical Therapies, Osher Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA, Osher_Institute@hms.harvard.edu, review (59 references) the credentialling of complementary and alternative medical practitioners.

Background

State legislation and professional organizations have developed mechanisms to license physicians and other medical practitioners, establish standards of practice, and protect healthcare consumers by establishing credentials as guarantees of competence. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) presents new challenges in this respect.

Methodology

Results

The article describes the current status of efforts to create models for credentialling chiropractors, acupuncturists, naturopaths, massage therapists, and other CAM practitioners. It suggests a strategy of CAM credentialling for use by physicians, healthcare administrators, insurance companies, and professional organizations. It highlights the fact that more nationally uniform credentialling mechanisms are necessary to ensure high standards of practice and clinical research, but that such more uniform licensing may decrease the individuality of service and thus substantially alter CAM practice. It also takes into consideration that even licensed practitioners may deliver substandard care. Thus the two aims to ensure good therapy and to preserve individuality of service need to be balanced.

Conclusion

References

Eisenberg DM, Cohen MH, Hrbek A, Grayzel J, Van Rompay MI, Cooper RA. Credentialing complementary and alternative medical providers. Annals of Internal Medicine 137 (12): 965—973, Dec 2002.