Many cultures of the world embrace traditional healing as either an alternative or an adjunct to Western biomedicine. After completing the required background information for this module, please write a 2 – 3 page paper that addresses the following:
1. What is complementary/alternative medicine and how does it differ from the traditional Western approach?
2. What are your views on the use of complementary/alternative medicine?
3. Why is it important to know about these practices?
4. How would you approach patients/clients who rely on complementary/alternativemedicine? Comment specifically on how you would handle the differences in cultural values, beliefs, and practices.
Assignment Expectations – In order to earn full credit, you must review all required background materials and make sure your paper meets these standards:
LENGTH: 2 – 3 pages typed, double-spaced, one inch margins, 12 point font
COVER PAGE: Copy the exact assignment onto your cover page (the actual questions or task).
REFERENCES: Be sure to cite your references in the text of all papers and on the reference list at the end. For examples you may review the way the references are listed in the modules and on the background reading list.
PRECISION: Each of the questions of the assignment is specifically addressed in the paper.
CLARITY: The paper reads clearly (i.e., it is not confusing) and is well-structured. Subheadings are used to guide the reader.
BREADTH: The paper presents appropriate breadth covering the questions of the assignment (multiple perspectives and references, multiple issues/factors considered, as appropriate).
DEPTH: The paper presents points that lead to a deeper understanding of the matters and/or issues being discussed and integrates several points into coherent conclusions.
EVIDENCE: Statements and points are well-supported with facts or statistics, and references.
CRITICAL THINKING: You set aside your own personal biases and instead approach the subject matter using available scholarly evidence. You consider the strengths and weaknesses of competing arguments/perspectives on this topic. Having read these scholarly sources, you make a judgment as to the merit of the arguments presented therein.
Required Reading
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) (2011). What is CAM? Retrieved November 1, 2011 from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam/
NOTE: In this document, just read the Intro, review the Key Concepts, and then view the Lecture. US Department of Health & Human Services, Maternal Child Health Bureau (2009). Core Concepts in Cultural Competence. Retrieved November 1, 2011 from http://support.mchtraining.net/national_ccce/case0/home.html
