The difference between alternative and conventional medicine Thesis

The difference between alternative and conventional medicine - Thesis Example It is very interesting to know that the number of individuals who visit alternative therapies is already higher than those individuals who visit the Western-based physicians. (Eisenberg et al., 1998) Even though some people make use of CAM as a substitute for a conventional medicine (Druss & Rosenheck, 1999), several studies believe that the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) could complement the use of a conventional medicine (Egede et al., 2002; Druss & Rosenheck, 1999). In line with the use of CAM, there are also several studies suggesting that the patients’ use of CAM is a major factor that makes some people avoids the use of conventional medicine (Robinson et al., 2002; Astin, 1998). Despite the significant increase in the use of CAM, there are still many people who remain unclear with regards to the differences between alternative and conventional medicine. To enable the readers have a better understanding with regards to the differences between the two types of medicine, the definition of alternative and conventional medicine will first be provided followed by discussing some general information about the use of CAM and conventional medicine. This study will gather some past and present academic literature that discusses and differentiate alternative medicine from a conventional medicine. After discussing the major factors behind the shift from conventional medicine to the use of CAM, the effectiveness between CAM and conventional medicine will be compared and contrast. As part of the conclusion, whether or not alternative medicine is better than a conventional medicine will be justified. Alternative medicine is â€Å"a form of healing arts that is not taught in a traditional Western medical schools that could promote options to the use of conventional medicine† (MedicineNet.com, 2007). It is basically â€Å"a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not currently considered