Nurse Pract. 2002 Jul; 27(7): 38-42.

Staying on the ethical high ground with complementary and alternative medicine.

Kaler MM, Ravella PC.

Intramural Research Program, National Heart, Lung Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.

The lack of substantive research regarding complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and its rising use stimulate interest in the ethical obligations that primary care providers face when advising patients about these therapies. Here, we explore how ethical principles relate to decision-making regarding CAM. We also provide a framework for making decisions that involve CAM interventions.