Rev Med Brux. 2015 Sep;36(4):393-5.

[Alternative medicines and "Evidence-Based Medicine" a possible reconciliation?].

Revue medicale de Bruxelles

[Article in French]
J-L Vanherweghem

PMID: 26591330

Abstract

The contrast between the efficiency of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM), a scientific fact, and the popularity of Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) is a paradox of the art of healing. EBM is based on the paradigm of positivism and materialism while CAM are based on those of relativism and vitalism. These paradigms are diametrically opposed and the aim of an integrative medicine is aporetic. However, EBM is today in a dead end. The objective proof of a disease according to the rules of EBM is often lacking face to the expectations of patients demanding their illness to be taken into account. EBM and CAM have thus to coexist. Lessons can be drawn from CAM : patient expectations should be given a meaning and be integrated in his or her psychosocial context.

MeSH terms

• Chronic Disease / therapy
• Complementary Therapies* / methods
• Complementary Therapies* / trends
• Evidence-Based Medicine* / methods
• Evidence-Based Medicine* / trends
• Humans

Publication Types

• English Abstract
• Journal Article