In terms of current healthcare practice and public health, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to a diverse range of non-conventional, diagnostic and treatment techniques. It is a substitute for traditional medicine used in conjunction with integrative mainstream medical techniques. Most users regard CAM as an integrative approach that organically integrates CAM and mainstream allopathic treatment into a blueprint for healing and prevention (Shorofi & Arbon, 2017). Following the growing interest in non-conventional medical practices across wide parts of the public, the US Congress directed forming the Office of Unconventional Medical Practices. Traditional Chinese medicine connects culturally with a more holistic approach to medicine.
CAM has grown in popularity since it is a vast realm of healing resources that includes all health systems, methods, practices, and the individual’s theories and beliefs about preventing and treating illness or improving health and wellbeing. The subject of socioeconomic determinants of health and health inequalities covers the less likely group to use CAM treatments (Frisch & Rabinowitsch, 2019). The implementation of the United States’ health reform and Affordable Care Act (ACA) intends to offer access to affordable various healthcare alternatives while reducing the burden of chronic disease via comprehensive programming that promotes wellness, health promotion, and disease prevention. This type of CAM raises demand on present system providers. It encourages global access for at-risk, low-income, and minority populations with socioeconomic circumstances that lead to unhealthy lifestyles. Those who use complementary and alternative medicine as an alternative to traditional medical care are more likely to be impoverished or in worse health.
CAM usage is linked to unmet medical requirements or delaying conventional medical care owing to expense. This suggests that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treats a population that does not have regular access to traditional health promotion and preventive services. The advantages of employing complementary and alternative treatments in treating sickness and suffering include the vast range of techniques and modalities that may be tailored to the treatment of a diverse set of people and their cost (Doblyte & Jiménez-Mejías, 2017). Furthermore, The ACA’s public health goals and visits to CAM practitioners may be great chances for lifestyle and behavior change counseling. Many of the individuals with health issues might benefit from getting the counseling and assistance. CAM aspires to be accessible, adaptable, and creative ways of health care that can cover and offer adequate treatment for all humanity.
Several elements influence one’s impression of sickness, health, and medical treatment. An individual can be influenced by biological and cultural factors that show them what pain and disease are, how to respond, and when it is vital to seek care. However, these influences might be subjective and not considered the best means of coping. Sickness representation refers to one’s perspectives about health and illness, which impact our preventative health habits and how we react when symptoms occur (Gilbert, 2019). One could be raised to be strong and not complain and not be consoled when harmed, reinforcing the belief that one must cope with things on their own.
Several demographic and social factors influence whether or not a person will take the following step and seek medical treatment. In terms of age and gender, older people utilize health services more frequently than young adults (Surachman et al., 2019). Nonetheless, there is an ageism stereotype in which the elderly is considered ailing and on the verge of death, believing that getting treatment will not benefit them now or set in their ways. While the young believe they are in good health and are neglectful of check-ups. In terms of gender, women are more prone than males to report systems and utilize health services, and they need to see physicians more frequently since their healthcare is more fragmented (Gilbert, 2019). Societal and environmental conventions shape one’s perspective on health and sickness, and through which one can be readily influenced to be proactive and take their health seriously or do the exact opposite.
Certain people may not consider their symptoms to be serious, prefer to use home treatments and postpone consulting a doctor. Both symptoms reporting and seeking health treatment are predicted by socioeconomic class. People with higher incomes report fewer symptoms and greater health than those with lower incomes (Surachman et al., 2019). Low-income people may lack means and access to healthcare, be skeptical of the healthcare system, or be afraid of the outcomes, influencing their choice to seek medical treatment. Healthcare practitioners must be aware of these variables to collaborate with patients and the community to decrease stigma and promote and normalize health care. According to Shorofi & Arbon (2017), both social and psychological aspects, directly and indirectly, influence the interaction between patients and the health care system. People’s trust in their healthcare professionals influences their happiness with treatment decisions on what is required for a doctor’s appointment.
To fully assist the community, a health psychologist must be aware of the inequities in health and wellbeing that affect all parts of society. A health psychologist with a Christian worldview would believe it is their job and position to best serve the community by demonstrating God’s love and combining best practices to ensure that each individual is serviced and obtains great healthcare. With this belief, the health professional would approach their patients with compassion, understanding, and enthusiasm, emphasizing rapport and connection, having outstanding communication skills, and discovering the best methods to assist them.
References
Doblyte, S., & Jiménez-Mejías, E. (2017). Understanding help-seeking behavior in depression: A qualitative synthesis of patients’ experiences.Qualitative Health Research, 27(1), 100-113.
Frisch, N. C., & Rabinowitsch, D. (2019). What’s in a definition? Holistic nursing, integrative health care, and integrative nursing: Report of an integrated literature review. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 37(3), 260-272.
Gilbert, P. (2019). Psychotherapy for the 21st century: An integrative, evolutionary, contextual, biopsychosocial approach.Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 92(2), 164-189.
Shorofi, S. A., & Arbon, P. (2017). Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among Australian hospital-based nurses: Knowledge, attitude, personal and professional use, reasons for use, CAM referrals, and socio-demographic predictors of CAM users.Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 27, 37-45.
Surachman, A., Wardecker, B., Chow, S. M., & Almeida, D. (2019). Life course socioeconomic status, daily stressors, and daily well-being: Examining chain of risk models. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 74(1), 126-135.