Soc Work Health Care. 2000 ; 31(3): 39-57.

Complementary alternative medicine in health and mental health: implications for social work practice.

Cook CA, Becvar DS, Pontious SL.

School of Social Service, St. Louis University, MO 63103, USA.

This article describes the increasing use of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) in this country and its implications for social work practice, education, research and policy in the health care field. Descriptive examples of CAM treatment modalities are provided along with their underlying rationale, common uses and available empirical support. It is concluded that patients will be better served by social workers who have knowledge of CAM treatment modalities. Furthermore, the need for further research on the efficacy of many CAM treatments and the certification of CAM treatment providers is discussed.