Should we refuse requests for complementary therapies?

Journal/Book: Patient Educ Couns. 1999; 38: Customer Relations Manager Bay 15, Shannon Industrial Estate CO, Clare, Ireland. Elsevier Sci Ireland Ltd. 167-171.

Abstract: Health care providers sometimes receive requests from patients or families for complementary therapies. When should they accede to such requests, and when should they refuse them? This is not a problem peculiar to complementary therapies. It arises whenever patients or families request conventional therapies which health care professionals judge problematic in the circumstances. What follows is a set of rationalized recommendations about when health care professionals should and should not honour requests for therapies, whether they be conventional or complementary.

Note: Article Browne A, Univ British Columbia, Div Hlth Care Eth, Off Coordinator Hlth Sci, 400-2194 Hlth Sci Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, CANADA

Keyword(s): alternative/complementary therapies; futility; harm; cost; FUTILITY

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