How to Select a Complementary and Alternative Medicine Provider - Selecting a Complementary and Alternative Medicine Provider

How do I know if the practitioner I have selected is right for me?

After your first visit with a practitioner, evaluate the visit. Ask yourself:

• Was the practitioner easy to talk to? Did the practitioner make me feel comfortable?
• Was I comfortable asking questions? Did the practitioner appear willing to answer them, and were they answered to my satisfaction?
• Was the practitioner open to how both CAM therapy and conventional medicine might work together for my benefit?
• Did the practitioner get to know me and ask me about my condition?
• Did the practitioner seem knowledgeable about my specific health condition?
• Does the treatment recommended seem reasonable and acceptable to me?
• Was the practitioner clear about the time and costs associated with treatment?

Can I change my mind about the treatment or the practitioner?

Yes, if you are not satisfied or comfortable, you can look for a different practitioner or stop treatment. However, as with any conventional treatment, talk with your practitioner before stopping to make sure that it is safe to simply stop treatment--it may not be advisable to stop some therapies midway through a course of treatment.

Discuss with your practitioner the reasons you are not satisfied or comfortable with treatment. If you decide to stop a therapy or seek another practitioner, make sure that you share this information with any other health care practitioners you may have, as this will help them make decisions about your care. Communicating with your practitioner(s) can be key to ensuring the best possible health care.

Can I receive treatment or a referral to a practitioner from NCCAM?

NCCAM is the Federal Government's lead agency for scientific research on CAM. NCCAM's mission is to explore CAM healing practices in the context of rigorous science, train CAM researchers, and disseminate authoritative information to the public and professionals. NCCAM does not provide CAM therapies or referrals to practitioners.

Can I receive CAM treatment through a clinical trial?

NCCAM supports clinical trials (research studies in people) on CAM therapies. Clinical trials on CAM are taking place in many locations worldwide, and study participants are needed. To find out more about clinical trials on CAM, see the NCCAM fact sheet "About Clinical Trials and CAM." To find trials that are recruiting participants, go to the Web site nccam.nih.gov/clinicaltrials/. You can search this site by the type of therapy being studied or by disease or condition.

Source: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NIH)

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