Why does it make sense to use CAM in European healthcare?
Europeans want CAM
CAM is already used by 100 million Europeans
- CAM recognizes the patient's own responsibility and right of choice
- CAM respects the uniqueness and complexity of each patient (a personalized and holistic approach)
- CAM has no side effects (gentle, safer)
- CAM activates the self-healing ability of the organism (it is more natural – does not cause drug addiction)
- CAM often provides relief where conventional treatment cannot
CAMbrella Research Project: Europeans want CAM to be:
- AVAILABLE (governments should support CAM development): We want to be able to use CAM if necessary.
- OF HIGH QUALITY (governments should provide education, certification, licensing): We do not want to have to worry about damaging our health or suffering financial damage.
- TRANSPARENT (governments should ensure that information is readily available): We want to have reliable information to make decisions about our health.
- RESPECTED (governments should create conditions conducive for conventional medicine and CAM to communicate and cooperate): We do not want to feel ashamed about seeking CAM treatment and talking to a doctor about it.
There is evidence-based information on CAM
- There are research projects on the safety and efficacy of CAM (PubMed, Cochrane)
- There are economic analyses of the cost-effectiveness of CAM
- There is extensive long-term experience of using of CAM abroad (USA, Canada, Australia, and East Asia)
European healthcare systems are FINANCIALLY UNSUSTAINABLE
CAM is a way out of the crisis
An increase in the occurrence of lifestyle and chronic diseases: cancer, diabetes, heart disease, mental disorders…
- CAM emphasizes on health literacy and health sustainability (diet, exercise, life rhythm, stress management, etc.) – it prevents civilization diseases
- CAM helps improve the quality of life for patients with incurable conditions
- CAM helps manage the side effects of conventional treatments (cancer)
Ageing population
- CAM promotes healthy, active ageing
- CAM helps improve the quality of life
High costs of healthcare
- CAM helps reduce the need for expensive medical interventions
- CAM prevents disease by low-cost interventions
- CAM helps to increase the effectiveness of conventional treatment (in collaboration with medicine)
Antimicrobial resistance – a serious global threat
- By promoting a healthy lifestyle, CAM reduces the need for antibiotics
- Some CAM drugs may be an alternative to antibiotics
Billions spent on medications associated with erroneous medical interventions
- CAM is safe and does, therefore, not create the risk of subsequent financial compensation
Sources: EUROCAM documents, CAMbrella final report