US Hospitals offering Alternative Therapies to all

Hospitals across the United States are integrating conventional and alternative health systems by giving patients the chance to complement their care with natural treatments.

Dr William Jagiello at the Mercy Medical Centre, Iowa claims that the popularity of alternative treatments is growing and a good treatment programme should integrate "spiritual, emotional and cultural aspects". "Illness doesn't exist in a Vacuum...At some point in the future, there won't be conventional and unconventional treatments. They'll all be melded into one system. The important thing will be identifying the best treatment for each patient, rather than whether it's mainstream or alternative care."

Dr Gregory P.Fontana, cardiothoracic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles claims 19 out of 20 of his patients who had received acupuncture or massage therapy believed the treatment made "significant differences" to their recovery, although he believes patients may not always be willing to pay for these services themselves.

In the UK, the Foundation for Integrated Medicine aims to achieve the same level of co-operation in NHS hospitals.

For more information on complementary and alternative therapies, or for details of health insurance schemes in the UK which include cover for alternative treatments, contact Bromley Health Management.

Sunday, 3 December 2000