Americans spend millions on alternative therapies
A recent study of 23,000 Americans by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health found that Americans are spending $34 million a year in alternative therapies that are not covered by insurance, which is a 25% increase within the past decade. Alternative therapies can range from taking herbs to yoga classes, and are popular for both adults and children.
The study found that $22 million of the $34 million is spent on “self care,” where patients use an alternative therapy, such as taking fish oil supplements or homeopathic medications, without their health practitioner’s advice. As more and more Americans seek alternative therapies, it is important for nurses to be aware of how these drugs or methods may effect patients’ prescriptions or treatment.
For example, many cancer patients turn to alternative therapies for help with chemotherapy-related fatigue or other cancer side effects. In a clinical trial presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology, researchers found that:
- Ginseng can be used to relieve fatigue in cancer patients
- Ginger fights chemotherapy-related nausea
- Flax seeds seem to slow the growth of prostate tumors
But other alternative therapies can be proven ineffective by clinical trials. For example, over the past few years, shark cartilage extract has become popular as people have read on the Internet or heard on television that it can be used as an anti-cancer medicine. However, the American Society’s clinical trial found that shark cartilage has no effect on fighting lung cancer and another study conducted by Texas’ M.D. Anderson Cancer Center found that shark cartilage failed to improve survival of patients with stage-3, non-small cell lung cancer.
About the Author: Sarah is an Editorial Assistant in the patient safety group at HCPro, Inc. She contributes to two monthly newsletters; Briefings on the Joint Commission and Briefings on Patient Safety, and manages four e-zines; Accreditation Connection, AHAP Staff Challenge, Nurse Manager Weekly, and Healthcare Training Weekly. She also helps research new products for the patient safety and nursing market. She graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2008 where she earned her bachelor's degree in English.
jackie | Aug 10, 2009 | Reply
Did anyone consider the reasons why? Maybe it does not have to do with researched indications at all. I have utilized alternative massage therapy for chronic neck pain and the fallout from stressors and strains that are underdiagnosed and not deemed important by healthcare providers. And I am a nurse! If you do not have positive test results your symptoms are disregarded in most instances so no wonder people revert to alternatives. At least I get a discount from insurance for mine!
Fran | Aug 10, 2009 | Reply
“Alternative” means “offering or expressing a choice” or “different from the usual or conventional.” Given the general acceptance of these therapies as evidenced by the amount of money involved, it may be time to refer to them as “integrative therapies.” They have been integrated into our consciousness and lifestyles. Even health care professionals use them! Consequently, it is our responsiblity as professionals to educate the public on the efficacy – or lack – of these treatments, so they can make informed decisions. By continuing to consider these as alternatives, outside of our scope, we are limiting our ability to improve health outcomes.