Status of credentialing alternative providers within a subset of U.S. academic health centers.
BACKGROUND
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) clinical services are increasingly provided within conventional health care settings.


OBJECTIVE
To determine how a subset of U.S. academic health centers is credentialing CAM providers.


METHODS
An electronic survey was created focusing on the credentialing method utilized for six specific types of CAM clinical practitioners within academic medical settings.


METHODS
This survey was electronically distributed to 33 academic health centers in the United States during the summer 2004.


RESULTS
Ninety-five percent (95%) of academic centers surveyed provide some CAM clinical care. Acupuncture and massage are most common, with naturopathy and homeopathy least common. State licensure requirements for CAM providers appear to not be well-understood. Most commonly, CAM professionals do not receive full medical staff credentials.


CONCLUSIONS
Results cannot be extrapolated to remaining academic health centers within the United States. Mind-body practitioners were not included in the survey.


CONCLUSIONS
Credentialing and privileges are most commonly granted via indirect methods. Variability in state licensure compounds the challenge of credentialing CAM practitioners. Suggestions for beginning discussions on guiding principles for integrating CAM practitioners within conventional settings are proposed.
Nedrow
Anne
A
Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA. eckerte@ohsu.edu
D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003406:Credentialing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008405:Massage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D026441:Mind-Body Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009147:Music Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016134:Organizational Policy; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012107:Research Design; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States