Opher Caspi1, Joshua Holexa. 1. The Recanati Center for Medicine and Research, Rabin Medical Center, The Tel-Aviv University, Petah Tikva 49100, Israel. ocaspi@clalit.org.il
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To examine whether U.S.-based professional complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) organizations have explicit informed consent policies. DESIGN AND SETTING: Phone survey conducted in July-August 2003. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 37 out of a total of 39 eligible and accessible organizations representing 19 commonly used provider-administered CAM techniques (95% response rate.) Only 21 organizations (57%) had any informed consent policy and standards, whilst only six (16%) mandate their clinician members to routinely obtain an informed consent. CONCLUSIONS: We found no consistent standards with respect to the practice of informed consent across a broad range of CAM practices. CAM information that is not communicated appropriately or is otherwise unavailable to patients during the decision-making process may increase the potential for healthcare oversights and adversity.
OBJECTIVES: To examine whether U.S.-based professional complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) organizations have explicit informed consent policies. DESIGN AND SETTING: Phone survey conducted in July-August 2003. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 37 out of a total of 39 eligible and accessible organizations representing 19 commonly used provider-administered CAM techniques (95% response rate.) Only 21 organizations (57%) had any informed consent policy and standards, whilst only six (16%) mandate their clinician members to routinely obtain an informed consent. CONCLUSIONS: We found no consistent standards with respect to the practice of informed consent across a broad range of CAM practices. CAM information that is not communicated appropriately or is otherwise unavailable to patients during the decision-making process may increase the potential for healthcare oversights and adversity.
Entities:
Keywords:
Empirical Approach; Health Care and Public Health; Professional Patient Relationship