title: The use of complementary and alternative medical therapies among older persons around the world.
abstract: Defining complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) helps in understanding what it offers, why older patients are attracted to and find effectiveness in these therapies, and how conventional practitioners can deal with their increasing use. The most common definition in United States medical literature is "those practices neither taught widely in United States medical schools nor gene-rally available in United States hospitals." Patient interviews must include inquiry into CAM use; providers need to know about potentially risky therapies. Integration of CAM into our health care system, although burdensome in the short term, will benefit patients in the long run, where benefit is due. Integration of CAM into treatment does not mean acknowledging its effectiveness, but taking advantage of any benefits it has to offer.
authors.affiliation: Geriatrics Research, Education, and Clinical Center, St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, MO 63106, USA. flaherty@slu.edu
authors.forename: Joseph H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Flaherty
authors.forename: Ryutaro
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Takahashi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D014943:Global Health; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life