Overview of Integrative Medicine Practices and Policies in NATO Participant Countries.


Author: Hegyi G1, Petri RP Jr2, di Sarsina PR3, Niemtzow RC4.

Affiliation: 1Professor, Complementary and Alternative Medicine Department, Pécs University Medical School , Pécs, Hungary . 2United States Army, Chairman, NATO HFM-195 Task Force, Integrative Medicine Interventions for Military Personnel , El Paso, TX. 3Professor, Observatory and Methods for Health, University of Milano-Biocca , Milano, Italy . 4Director, United States Air Force Acupuncture and Alternative Medicine Center , Malcolm Grow Medical Clinic, Joint Base Andrews, MD.
Conference/Journal: Med Acupunct.
Date published: 2015 Oct 1
Other:
 Volume ID: 27   ,  Issue ID: 5   ,  Pages: 318-327   ,  Word Count: 192  
    Abstract

Background: CAMbrella is a European research network for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Between January 2010 and December 2013 the CAMbrella consortium reviewed the status of CAM in Europe from the perspectives of: (1) terminology for description; (2) citizens' needs and expectations; (3) patients' usage patterns; (4) providers' practice patterns; and (5) regulatory and legal status in Europe. Together, this data was used to form a set of recommendations to the European Commission, the European Parliament, and national policy makers and civil society stakeholders. These recommendations can serve as a roadmap for European CAM research. Objective: This article aims to inform the reader about CAM prevalence, usage perspectives, and the future roadmap for CAM practices and research within the European Union. Method: This overview describes CAM status in the European Union, using the CAMbrella consortium projects as the source of information. Conclusions: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is positioned as a potential foundation for inclusion of CAM modalities within the militaries as well for as collaborative research on safe and cost-effective practices.

KEYWORDS:

CAM; CAMbrella Pan-European Project; Legislation of CAM; Regulation; Reimbursement; Survey on Members of EU; Usage of CAM

PMID: 26543517 [PubMed] PMCID: PMC4623987 [Available on 2016-10-01]