CAM Services Increased in Hospitals

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is increasing in hospitals due to patient's demands as more Americans are finding relief through alternative forms of health care. Hospitals have increasingly expanded programs in order to attract this patient base as well as to optimize care options. CAM inpatient programs nearly doubled between 1998 and 2001, as attitudes and perceptions toward alternative medicine change, and they keep increasing. The Journal of the American Medical Association states that 42 percent of U.S. adults receive at least one of sixteen alternative therapies surveyed.

The east north central region of the U.S. (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin) continues to lead the nation in number of hospitals that offer CAM programs, and the western part of the country isn't far behind, with schools like Pacific College of Oriental Medicine making strides to expand knowledge of traditional medicine and to get it practiced more widely. The top six therapies offered by the AHA member hospitals and sought by Americans include massage therapy, tai ji, yoga, qi gong, relaxation trainings, acupuncture, guided imagery, and therapeutic touch. Studies showed that Americans paid for most of these services out of pocket, spending $13.7 billion annually on CAM products and services, making it an attractive market for many struggling hospitals. Other reasons for the increase in CAM services include clinical effectiveness and a reflection of the hospital's desire to treat the whole person - body and spirit. Physician resistance is the number one reason why hospitals do not opt for CAM services, a trend that is likely to change, as 60% of medical schools now offer CAM courses, and efforts by schools such as Pacific College of Oriental Medicine are making strides to expand knowledge of traditional medicine.

Hospitals will continue to begin CAM programs as they review new research that validates efficacy, educate physicians and hire licensed professionals.