Should I recommend or endorse adjunct CAM therapies?

Of primary importance in your decision whether or not to endorse CAM is the lack of established efficacy for most therapies. Some treatments, however, such as acupuncture, may indeed provide pain and/or psychological relief. Informing patients of the recognized benefits of complementary therapies will assist them in their decision-making process.

Of secondary importance is the fact that most treatments are not covered by insurance. Some adjunct therapies may be quite costly, regardless of their accepted or perceived benefits.

It is vital, however, to maintain an open dialogue with your patient regarding his or her decision to use CAM therapies as part of an overall health plan. As the physician managing a treatment plan, being informed of all of your patient’s health care choices is essential to managing their care. It may be helpful to familiarize yourself with the most commonly used CAM therapies in orthopaedics today in order to recognize possible contraindications or drug-herb reactions that may affect your patients. By keeping the lines of communication open and inquiring, in a nonjudgmental manner, into the CAM therapies your patient is currently using, you are gathering information important, and ultimately beneficial, to the health of your patient.