The need for harmonization of traditional and modern

Increased cross–cultural communication has resulted in the
exposure of many indigenous forms of traditional medicine to new,
more modern, medical environments. Various responses may and
have occurred to the presence of differing approaches to health care.
These range from complete rejection of TM by modern medical
practitioners and of modern medicine by TM practitioners, to a
parallel existence with little communication over patient care, or to
ultimately forced understanding, subsuming and integration of one
model by the other. None of these approaches is ideal precisely
because none confers adequate respect on the practices of the other.
This results in a weak utilization and exploration of the benefits
presented by each model.
Harmonization of traditional and modern medicine emphasizes
the importance of respectful co–existence. Within the model of
harmonization, there is the requirement to develop and hold a good
understanding of the other approaches to health care. Modern
medicine practitioners and researchers are required to achieve
adequate education and awareness of the practice, principles and
context of traditional medicine. Similarly, TM practitioners need to
be significantly more aware of the nature of practice and strengths
of modern medical approaches. The purpose of this broader
education base is not simply to yield a better understanding of
differing practices, but primarily to promote the best care for patients
by intelligently selecting the most facilitating route to health and
wellness.
18
TRADITIONAL AND MODERN MEDICINE: HARMONIZING THE TWO APPROACHES
Surveys and other sources of evidence indicate that traditional
medical practices are frequently utilized in the management of chronic
diseases.7 It is particularly for this category of illness that TM has
developed a reputation. It is also in this area of treatment that modern
medicine is considered the weaker. An approach to harmonizing
activities between modern and traditional medicine will promote a
clearer understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each, and
encourage the provision of the best therapeutic option for patients.
The alternative to this is poor health care practice and bad medicine,
most especially as the quantifiable scientific evidence of effective
TM practices mounts.
Collecting evidence based on research is, therefore, regarded
an essential step, although, of course, much more is involved in
harmonization.

Traditional Medicine: Consumers, government and other stakeholders

Based on the growing interest in traditional medicine shown by
consumers, scientists and regulators, three important challenges
present themselves.
• The public and the users of traditional medicine request
safe, quality–controlled and effective remedies.
• Medical scientists request more scientifically sound
evidence before comfortably accepting many traditional
medicine practices. Many health professionals have
doubts about the usefulness of traditional medicine. In
many cases, they require more scientifically–based
evidence if they are to trust its safety and effectiveness.
Meanwhile, the involvement of the academic and
scientific community provides the opportunity to create
more evidence by means of modern science.
• Governments need to establish and update mechanisms
for the regulation of traditional medicine and its
practitioners and, in doing so, require more
scientifically–based evidence to support decision–
making. As traditional systems of medicine become
better documented, and more scientifically credible,
usage is only likely to increase further.
Consumers, of course, have many different reasons for using
traditional medicine, and may not require the same level of evidence
of practice that is espoused by medical scientists. Consumers may
have confidence in, for example, oriental herbal medicine because
of its existence in public hospitals and medical infrastructure in
China, Republic of Korea, and Japan, instituted by centuries of use,
scholarly writings and a formal tertiary education system.
Consumers may also be prepared to try an herbal formula that has
been used and documented in classical medical literature for many
centuries and may be less convinced by a clinical trial of a new drug
– having been applied only to a well–defined sample group.
Consumers’ awareness of these factors may generate more confidence
in terms of ‘evidence behind practice’ than any single
methodologically rigorous clinical trial. However, to the scientist
it’s the latter, and not the former, that represents the stronger evidence.

Source: www.who.int

Traditional Medicine: Changes in trends of usage

Traditional medicine exists in most countries and areas in the
Western Pacific Region and makes a significant contribution to the
health of the people of the Region. Interest in traditional medicine
has increased over the last decade and seems likely to continue.
People now are more prepared to look for alternative approaches to
maintain their health.
There are no solid data on the extent of usage of traditional
medicine in the Region. However, data from several countries and
areas in the Region show that around 40% to 60% of the population
of these countries and areas use traditional medicine. For example,
traditional medicine accounts for around 40% of all health care
delivered in China and in Hong Kong, approximately 60% of the
population has consulted traditional medicine practitioners at one
time or another.3
The use of traditional/complementary medicine in industrialized
countries has increased significantly. Studies conducted in the US
show that complementary therapy usage increased from 34% in 1990
to 42% in 1997.4 In Australia, research has indicated that 48.5% of
the population used at least one non–medically prescribed alternative
medicine in 1993. The estimated national expenditure on alternative
medicines and alternative practitioners is close to A$1 000 million
per annum, of which A$621 million is spent on alternative medicines.5
An Australian government report in 1996 estimated that there were
at least 2.8 million traditional Chinese medicine consultations in
1996, representing an annual turnover of A$84 million within the
health economy. This growth was also reflected in a four–fold
increase in the importation of Chinese herbal medicines since 1992.6
Clearly, traditional medicine is widely used by the public, and
in some countries its use has increased dramatically. Increased
demands from public lead to increased interest and involvement of
the academic and scientific community. Concurrently, more and
more governments from countries and areas within the Region have
shown their interest and willingness to promote the proper use of
traditional medicine.

Source: www.who.int

Traditional Medicine: Changes in trends of usage

Traditional medicine exists in most countries and areas in the
Western Pacific Region and makes a significant contribution to the
health of the people of the Region. Interest in traditional medicine
has increased over the last decade and seems likely to continue.
People now are more prepared to look for alternative approaches to
maintain their health.
There are no solid data on the extent of usage of traditional
medicine in the Region. However, data from several countries and
areas in the Region show that around 40% to 60% of the population
of these countries and areas use traditional medicine. For example,
traditional medicine accounts for around 40% of all health care
delivered in China and in Hong Kong, approximately 60% of the
population has consulted traditional medicine practitioners at one
time or another.3
The use of traditional/complementary medicine in industrialized
countries has increased significantly. Studies conducted in the US
show that complementary therapy usage increased from 34% in 1990
to 42% in 1997.4 In Australia, research has indicated that 48.5% of
the population used at least one non–medically prescribed alternative
medicine in 1993. The estimated national expenditure on alternative
medicines and alternative practitioners is close to A$1 000 million
per annum, of which A$621 million is spent on alternative medicines.5
An Australian government report in 1996 estimated that there were
at least 2.8 million traditional Chinese medicine consultations in
1996, representing an annual turnover of A$84 million within the
health economy. This growth was also reflected in a four–fold
increase in the importation of Chinese herbal medicines since 1992.6
Clearly, traditional medicine is widely used by the public, and
in some countries its use has increased dramatically. Increased
demands from public lead to increased interest and involvement of
the academic and scientific community. Concurrently, more and
more governments from countries and areas within the Region have
shown their interest and willingness to promote the proper use of
traditional medicine.

Source: www.who.int