AMA seeks stronger link with complementary health
Australian Medical Association (AMA) president Dr Kerryn Phelps has told a summit on natural and complementary healthcare that ‘it is time to build bridges’ between complementary and orthodox health sectors in Australia.
The summit, held by the Complementary Healthcare Council of Australia (CHC), discussed the place of complementary health care products and therapies now and in the future, as well as their regulation and myths surrounding their use. Held in Canberra from 28 February to 1 March, the summit was attended by health care professionals and consumers.
The use of complementary health care products and therapies is at an all time high in Australia. More than 60 per cent of Australians use at least one complementary product each year, including vitamins and herbs.
Dr Phelps said she has been trying to build a better relationship between complementary medicine and Western medicine for some time.‘It is a development the medical profession cannot afford to ignore, and indeed has a growing interest in,’ she said. ‘It is important that medical practitioners encourage their patients to discuss with them any complementary medicines or therapies they are using.’
Dr Phelps warned that evidence that natural therapies work is essential to their acceptance, and used the example of acupuncture to relieve pain after operations as a complementary therapy that has gained widespread acceptance due to an evidence base.
CHC executive director Val Johanson warmly welcomed the positive comments made by Dr Phelps. ‘We look forward to working with Dr Phelps and the AMA in the future,’ she said.
Ms Johanson described Dr Phelps’ suggestion of the need for an alliance between orthodox medicine and the complementary health sector as ‘progressive and potentially very helpful. It was the step in the right direction that the CHC had been hoping for.’
Last Reviewed: 09 March 2001
