Towards a Pan-European Definition of Complementary and Alternative Medicine – a Realistic Ambition?

Abstract

Background: The terms used for defining complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) including the methods, procedures and therapies vary greatly. The task of the CAMbrella working group on terminology was to explore the existing CAM terminologies and to develop a pragmatic definition of CAM that is acceptable Europewide. This can then be used to systematically research, e.g., its prevalence and legal status and to investigate the citizens’ demands on CAM and the perspectives of providers of CAM in Europe. Methods: Terms and definitions were collected from both scientific and non-scientific sources. The terms and definitions identified were analysed and discussed among the CAMbrella working group participants on several occasions with the aim of arriving at a consensus. Results: We developed a proposal for a pragmatic European definition of CAM: ‘Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) utilised by European citizens represents a variety of different medical systems and therapies based on the knowledge, skills and practices derived from theories, philosophies and experiences used to maintain and improve health, as well as to prevent, diagnose, relieve or treat physical and mental illnesses. CAM has been mainly used outside conventional health care, but in some countries certain treatments are being adopted or adapted by conventional health care.’ Conclusion: Developing a uniform, pragmatic pan-European definition of CAM was complicated by a number of factors. These included the vast diversity of existing definitions, systems, disciplines, procedures, methods and therapies available within the EU.

Zur Lage der Komplementärmedizin in Deutschland

“…Zum einen besteht die Frage, was unter Komplementärmedizin zu verstehen ist [35]. Hierbei handelt es sich um ein kunterbuntes Sammelsurium therapeutischer Verfahren, das noch nie auf einen Nenner gebracht werden konnte [36,37]. Die Komplementärmedizin enthält eigene Therapiesysteme wie die Homöopathie, außereuropäische Verfahren wie die TCM, mitteleuropäische Naturheilverfahren wie die Kneipp-Therapie, Phytotherapie, usw.…”

Overview of Integrative Medicine Practices and Policies in NATO Participant Countries

“…CAM has been mainly used outside conventional health care, but in some countries certain treatments are being adopted or adapted by conventional health care. 12 Adding to the difficulty in defining CAM, differences exist from country to country regarding what modalities are considered to be part of CAM. As an example, spiritual healing is considered to be a CAM modality within the United States and is included as a Medical Subject Heading (MeSH); however, this modality is excluded from the European definition of Spiritual practices because of the history of CAM within Europe.…”

Die Akademisierung von Naturheilkunde und Komplementärmedizin im deutschsprachigen Raum

“…Dieser Definition konnte aufgrund der beginnenden akademischen Anerkennung der Komplementärmedizin allenfalls für eine Dekade Gültigkeit zugesprochen werden. Auch der jüngst veröffentlichte Konsensus des von 2009 bis 2012 mit EU-Mitteln geförderten Projektes CAMbrella zur Definition der Komplementärmedizin muss nach gründlicher Sichtung der Literatur, mehreren Arbeitskonferenzen und bei dem Versuch einer eigenen, letztlich äußerst liberal gefassten Definition für Komplementärmedizin konstatieren: «The plethora of terms and the lack of consensus about definitions can have negative implications for research and clinical practice» (Die Fülle der Begriffe und der mangelnde Konsens über Definitionen können negative Implikationen für Forschung und klinische Praxis haben (Übersetzung R. St.)) [4]. …”