Las medicinas alternativas y complementarias como recurso en los itinerarios terapéuticos de las mujeres: importancia en nuestro contexto

Abstract

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, by what- ever name they are called, have existed from antiquity. Recognition of the widespread use of CAM by the people of the United States has given new emphasis to the need to better understand the effects of these treatments from the perspective of personal and public health. To provide a rational, effective, efficient, and personally satisfactory health care system, it is im- portant and useful to know who is using CAM therapies and why, how the public obtains information about CAM and how credible that information is, why many users of CAM do not inform their physicians about such use, just what CAM is, and whether these therapies are safe and effective