Marginal to Mainstream: Alternative Medicine in America

Ruggie, Mary

ISBN 10: 0521542227 / ISBN 13: 9780521542227

Published by Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom, 2004

About this Item

Brand new Unread but may have "damaged" stamp on one of the title pages due to cosmetic imperfection such as minor dents on cover or edge of pages or scratches on cover etc. Paperback.

Seller Inventory # 62594

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Marginal to Mainstream: Alternative Medicine in America
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom
• Publication Date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521542227
• ISBN 13: 9780521542227
• Binding: Soft cover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Most users of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approach it differently than physicians, because they employ informal knowledge, based on their experiences, beliefs, and values. Mary Ruggie stresses that, although physicians also use informal knowledge from their clinical experience to understand patients and their needs, they rely on formal knowledge, based on science, to understand medicine. Thus, if CAM is going to become a legitimate part of health care, physicians must insist that scientific research prove its safety and efficacy.

Book Description

Most users of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approach it through different lenses than physicians. Ordinary people employ informal knowledge, which is based on their experiences, beliefs, and values. One chapter elaborates why people use CAM, another why physicians are becoming interested in it. Physicians also use informal knowledge, based on their experiences as clinicians, to understand patients and their needs. But physicians use formal knowledge, based on science, to understand medicine. If CAM is going to become a legitimate part of health care, physicians insist that scientific research must prove its safety and efficacy. Another chapter elaborates how scientific research is conducted (randomized, controlled, clinical trials). Another elaborates current scientific research on CAM.