Is the current status of Western medicine on its way out? - abstract

ABSTRACT

Epidemiological studies show that there is an increasing number of the North American population using alternative medicine. The highest is in the 25 to 49 year age group, who are relatively more educated with higher incomes (Eisenberg et al). Since political factors have major impact on health, the consumerization of health will set future trends. Patients are becoming increasingly assertive mwith regard to exercising choices. They are becoming more litigious towards doctors and are demanding greater participation in the shape of the health care system and allocation of resources (Coulter). Current concepts in quantum physics give very strong credence to the alternative paradigm. Governments in Europe now recognize these medicines as being very cost effective, pro active and efficient. Western medicine is based on an illness module, alternative on a wellness one. Of 21 major causes of illness and death today in the U.S. population, 19 are entirely lifestyle related (U.S. Surgeon General). This focuses the attention to the wellness model which places responsibility on the patients to review their lifestyles. Capra notes, "General Practioners administering this type of primary care need not be medical doctors, nor experts in any of the scientific disciplines concerned." In the new evolving model, interventions will take place earlier and the patient moved through a highly organized, stematized delivery system. When trauma or the disease process is advanced, the patient is then moved on to the medical practitioner, who now brings up the rear rather than leads the van (AU)