Advances in medical research, the consumer empowerment, and rising cost of health care have demonstrated the need to treatment models that are holistic and client driven. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) offers consumers choices. It includes traditional healing practices, medical systems that are thousands of years old and new or innovative treatments that may be consider unconventional. Well known examples of CAM include herbal remedies, mindfulness, meditation, manipulative/movement therapies, and Chinese Medicine. Knowledge of CAM offers social workers in all settings the opportunity to provide education and advocacy in seeking client centered and culturally competent treatment options.







Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Use of CAM by African Americans

Reports from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) indicate although individuals from different ethnic groups use CAM, the highest consumers include women, and individuals with higher educational achievement and income.  Barner, Bohman, Brown & Richards (2010) conducted a review of the use of CAM by African Americans. The researchers conducted a cross-sectional analysis utilizing data obtained from the National Health Interview Survey of 2002. The sample size consisted of 16,113,651 participants ages 18 and over who had used CAM in the last 12 months.  The researchers reviewed the following independent variables: predisposing (age, gender, and education), enabling (income, employment, and access to care), need (health status, physician visits, and prescription medication use) and disease-state factors (most prevalent conditions among African-Americans) that affects the type and choice of interventions.  Their results indicated that at least 20% of the participants had used CAM in the last 12 months.  CAM interventions of choice included alternative medical systems, manipulative and body-based therapies, biofeedback, and energy therapies.  Prayer and folk remedies were amongst the most widely used.  Folk remedies include traditional cures and herbs used to treat medical conditions.  African Americans with higher socio-economic status tended to use CAM interventions for prevention as well as treatment.  The results of this study are important for multiple reasons.  The researchers found that African American used CAM to treat a specific medical condition and do not often disclose their use of CAM with their medical providers for lack of trust.  It is important for medical practitioners to inquire about the use of all therapeutic interventions and their efficacy from the patient’s perspective.  Researchers noted that African American women are more likely to use prayer.  According to Freeman (2009) prayer is difficult to conceptualize and research.  Theologians and researchers conceptualize prayer into distinct types.  Prophetic, verbal, prayer can be used to either request a desired outcome or improve one’s relationship with God. The exact role of prayer was difficult to determine.  Prayer can be used for treatment, as prevention, in conjunction with other treatments.  These research findings are especially important for social worker to take into consideration.  On an individual level, how do social workers incorporate discussions and the use of prayer in their practice with clients?  How does the importance of prayer, as CAM intervention, affect the use or choice of faith-based practitioners in the field of mental health and substance abuse?     
References
Barner, J. C., Bohman, T. M., Brown, C. M., & Richards, K. M. (2010). Use of complementary and alternative medicine for treatment among African-Americans: A multivariate analysis. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 6(3), 196-208. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2009.08.001
Freeman, L.W. (2009) Mosby's complementary & alternative medicine: A research-based approach (3rd ed.). Mosby
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2009).  What is complementary and alternative Medicine? http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam/ (March 12, 2011)

14 comments:

  1. I was raised in Georgia until I was twelve years old, and we moved to California. I brought with me a lot of traditional alternative treatments for certain medical conditions. I learned these remedies,along with prayers from my three grandmothers, my mother and aunts. In turn I used many of the same herbs,and repeated some of the same prayers when I cared for by now twenty-four year old son. Thank God he never suffered any serious allergic reactions to these home remedies,because I didn't always disclose my treatment to the medical profession. I can remember using warm juice from a baked onion to treat my son's ear infection.

    As a Social Worker I understand the importance of asking my client if they are using any types of herbs to treat any medical conditions,because the herbs may cause some reactions to their physical and mental behavior.

    Posted by Deirdre Coleman,MSW/Intern

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so exited to share my testimonies about the Good Work of Dr. Emmanuel who cured my Herpes virus with his herbs, I never thought that I will live on earth before the year runs out. I have been suffering from a deadly Herpes virus (HVS) for the past (4)years now; I had spent a lot of money going from one Hospital to another looking for way to get rid of this disease, the hospital have been my home everyday residence. Constant checks up havdid, few days after i went back to the same hospital that previously confirmed me as Herpes virus positive and this time the result declared me negative to the deadly virus of Herpes virus....so I decided to share my testimony, that nothing is impossible with God, God use a man to healed me. No matter what you are passing through, no matter how deadly the sickness is and no matter what the situation is God that did mine is still going to do yours, suffering from AIDS, ALS,hiv/aids,copd, asthma.. Cancer,Hpv, any kind of disease, you can rich him now via ? Gmail address: ( nativehealthclinic@gmail.com) or WhatsApp number +2348140073965e been my hobby not until this faithful day, I was searching
      through the internet, I saw a testimony on how Dr.Emmanuel helped someone in curing his Herpes virus using his healing
      Herbs, quickly I copied his email just to give him a test I spoke to him, he asked me to a preparation for the herbs items, of which I did exactly what he instructed me to do, he told me that he is going to provide the herbal cure to me, which he
      thank you.

      Delete
    2. Good news this is to everyone out there with different health challenges, as I know there are still a lot of people suffering from different health issues and are therefore looking for solutions. I bring you Good news. There is a man called Dr ehiaguna a herbal practitioner who helped cure me from HSV (2), i had suffered from this diseases for the past 5 years and i have spent so much money trying to survive from it. I got my healing by taking the herbal medicine Dr ehiaguna sent to me to drink for about 14 days . 3 days after completion of the dosage, I went for a medical checkup and I was tested free from HSV. all thanks to God for leading me to Dr ehiaguna who was able to cure me completely from this deadly diseases, I’m sharing this so that other people can know of this great healer called Dr ehiaguna because I got to know him through elizabeth who he cured from HIV. I was made to understand that he can cure several other deadly diseases and infections. Don’t die in ignorance or silent and don’t let that illness take your life. Contact Dr ehiaguna through his email  drehiaguna@gmail.com You can also whatsapp/call him on:+2348073908953 .He cure all forms of disease {1}HIV/AIDS {2}DIABETES {3}EPILEPSY {4} BLOOD CANCER {5} HPV {6} BRAIN TUMOR {7} HEPATITIS {8}COPD{9} SICKLE AND ANAEMIA.etc Be kind enough to share as you received.  

      Delete
  2. I was not at all suprised about the fact that african american women used prayer more than any other form of alternative medicine. The power of prayer in deeply imbedded in the african american culture and many in this culture (as well as other cultures) believe that only God has the power to change things such as circumstances and serious health conditions. I was also not surprised that african americans take other alternative medicines without consulting thier physicians. Many african americans do not have confidence in the medical profession. This would especially be true for the elders in the african american community who very seldom believe in any western medicine practices.

    ReplyDelete
  3. As social workers, we know the importance of having the client as the expert of themselves, and us as practitioners help connect the dots. If someone is convinced that prayer is the answer to their problems, it is important to support them in that in order to build a good relationship with the client. It would be helpful for the client to have a relationship with a faith-based practitioner as they would be better able to cater to that client's specific needs. They could also be more knowledgeable in broaching the subject of medicine and therapy with those people who believe prayer is the only answer. It is definitely important to have faith-based practitioners in mental health and substance abuse fields, because as we can see, different people require different interventions.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This study looks at the use of CAM by African-Americans. The majority of people using CAM are women and individuals with higher income levels. Prayer is one of the most widely used CAM interventions. African-Americans that have higher socio-economic status are more likely to use CAM for treatment. The fact that African-Americans tend to use prayer more for CAM interventions is not surprising. I know that religion and church tend to be central in many African-American families. Historically African-Americans tend to look up to God to help them out of difficult situations such as poverty or poor health. Faith is an important part of African-American life. I do wonder if the study was done among young African-Americans who are not as religious as their parents. I wonder what the results of the study would be like if they were not religious.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Despite new research on the effectiveness of incorporating CAM interventions and practices into evidence based practice, the area of spirituality and religion seems to be an inherently dangerous area for practitioners. To suggests and use as a basis for treatment spirituality and religion, especially in public settings, seems to contradict secular ideals about medicine and treatment as science based.

    This can be seen in the treatment of substance abuse, and the use of the twelve step program. The AA 12 step program has effectively been used to help many who are struggling to break substance dependence find a sense of purpose through a program that relies upon steps such as relying on a higher power, prayer and meditation, and carrying the message forward after a spiritual awakening. Yet, often this program is modified when used in clinic and treatment facilities to leave out any aspects that might suggest religiosity.

    This might be more beneficial to those seeking treatment who are more opposed to the concept of spirituality and religion. But, it also creates a missed opportunity for those who might greatly benefit from the sense of purpose, faith, or inspiration to change that can be gained through the use of meditation and spirituality.

    It is a precarious at best for professionals in the field of social work to suggest religion or spirituality, or often even methods that involve aspects of these concepts, to those seeking help unless they appear already receptive to these ideas. On the one hand, we must appreciate the need for interventions and methods that are a fit with the client. On the other hand, it is a bit of a shame that the nature of the topic often completely removes the option from the table for those who might benefit.

    ReplyDelete

  6. I’m here to testify about what Dr Okosun did for me. I have been suffering from (GENITAL HERPES VIRUS) disease for the past 4 years and had constant pain and inching, especially in my private part. During the first year, I had faith in God that i would be cured someday.This disease started circulating all over my body and I have been taking treatment from my doctor, few weeks ago I came across a testimony of Rose Smith on the internet testifying about a Man called Dr Okosun on how he cured her from 7 years HSV 2. And she also gave the email address of this man, advise anybody to contact him for help on any kind of diseases that he would be of help, so I emailed him telling him about my (HSV 2) he told me not to worry that I was going to be cured!! Well, I never doubted him I have faith he can cure me too,, Dr Okosun prepared and sent me Healing Oil, Soap, roots and herbs which I took. In the first one week, I started experiencing changes all over me, after four weeks of using his Roots/ Herbs, Oil and Soap, I was totally cured. no more inching , pain on me anymore as Dr Okosun assured me. After some time I went to my doctor to do another test behold the result came out negative. So friends my advise is if you have such disease or know anyone who suffers from it or any other disease like HPV, HBV, HIV, ALS, HBP, CANCER etc. you can contact Dr.Okosun for help via drokosun55@gmail or whatsapp +2348124363791

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm so exited to share my testimonies about the Good Work of Dr. Emmanuel who cured my Herpes virus with his herbs, I never thought that I will live on earth before the year runs out. I have been suffering from a deadly Herpes virus (HVS) for the past (4)years now; I had spent a lot of money going from one Hospital to another looking for way to get rid of this disease, the hospital have been my home everyday residence. Constant checks up havdid, few days after i went back to the same hospital that previously confirmed me as Herpes virus positive and this time the result declared me negative to the deadly virus of Herpes virus....so I decided to share my testimony, that nothing is impossible with God, God use a man to healed me. No matter what you are passing through, no matter how deadly the sickness is and no matter what the situation is God that did mine is still going to do yours, suffering from AIDS, ALS,hiv/aids,copd, asthma.. Cancer,Hpv, any kind of disease, you can rich him now via ? Gmail address: ( nativehealthclinic@gmail.com) or WhatsApp number +2348140073965e been my hobby not until this faithful day, I was searching
    through the internet, I saw a testimony on how Dr.Emmanuel helped someone in curing his Herpes virus using his healing
    Herbs, quickly I copied his email just to give him a test I spoke to him, he asked me to a preparation for the herbs items, of which I did exactly what he instructed me to do, he told me that he is going to provide the herbal cure to me, which he
    thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I can't believe this. A great testimony l must share. A few months back l was diagnosed with herpes virus. I really thought my life was over. I had used different kinds of medication which didn't help. Then l browsed the internet and found a great doctor by the name Dr Odion who listened to my problems and sent me herbal medication via courier. I took the medication as instructed and within 2 weeks, the virus was gone.
    If you need any help you may contact Dr Odion on whatsApp at +234 9019421176
    HIV
    DIABETES
    CANCER
    KIDNEY PROBLEMS
    AND OTHER DISEASES

    ReplyDelete
  9. I can't believe this. A great testimony l must share. A few months back l was diagnosed with herpes virus. I really thought my life was over. I had used different kinds of medication which didn't help. Then l browsed the internet and found a great doctor by the name Dr Oluta who listened to my problems and sent me herbal medication via courier. I took the medication as instructed and within 2 weeks, the virus was gone.
    If you need any help you may contact Dr Oluta on email /dr.olutaspellcaster@gmail.com or whatsApp at +234 9065326267
    HIV
    DIABETES
    CANCER
    KIDNEY PROBLEMS
    AND OTHER DISEASES  

    ReplyDelete
  10. Good news this is to everyone out there with different health challenges, as I know there are still a lot of people suffering from different health issues and are therefore looking for solutions. I bring you Good news. There is a man called Dr ehiaguna a herbal practitioner who helped cure me from HSV (2), i had suffered from this diseases for the past 5 years and i have spent so much money trying to survive from it. I got my healing by taking the herbal medicine Dr ehiaguna sent to me to drink for about 14 days . 3 days after completion of the dosage, I went for a medical checkup and I was tested free from HSV. all thanks to God for leading me to Dr ehiaguna who was able to cure me completely from this deadly diseases, I’m sharing this so that other people can know of this great healer called Dr ehiaguna because I got to know him through elizabeth who he cured from HIV. I was made to understand that he can cure several other deadly diseases and infections. Don’t die in ignorance or silent and don’t let that illness take your life. Contact Dr ehiaguna through his email  drehiaguna@gmail.com You can also whatsapp/call him on:+2348073908953 .He cure all forms of disease {1}HIV/AIDS {2}DIABETES {3}EPILEPSY {4} BLOOD CANCER {5} HPV {6} BRAIN TUMOR {7} HEPATITIS {8}COPD{9} SICKLE AND ANAEMIA.etc Be kind enough to share as you received.  

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have been suffering from (HERPES) disease for the last two years and had constant pain, especially in my knees. During the first year,I had faith in God that i would be healed someday.This disease started circulate all over my body and i have been taking treatment from my doctor, few weeks ago i came on search on the internet if i could get any information concerning the prevention of this disease, on my search i saw a testimony of someone who has been healed from (Hepatitis B and Cancer) by this Man Dr GODWIN and she also gave the email address of this man and advise we should contact him for any sickness that he would be of help, so i wrote to Dr GODWIN telling him about my (HERPES Virus) he told me not to worry that i was going to be cured!! hmm i never believed it,, well after all the procedures and remedy given to me by this man few weeks later i started experiencing changes all over me as the Dr GODWIN me that i have cured,after some time i went to my doctor to confirmed if i have be finally healed behold it was TRUE, So friends my advise is if you have such sickness or any other at all you can email Dr GODWIN on :(drgodwinsolutinonhome@gmail.com or WhatsApp +2348054615060) sir i am indeed grateful for the help i will forever recommend you to my friends!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I got diagnosed with HPV, i have be dealing with this mess for the past 8yrs. On till i got review online about natural cure people testifies how they got curevd with natural treatment. And i order the treatment, after taking it for two weeks i totally got cured with herbal treatment. I'm recommending you diagnosis with HPV should get this treatment via: Dronokunherbalcure@gmail.com or Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/naturaltreatmentcenter1

    ReplyDelete