Medical AI is booming. Artificial intelligence is being used to transform healthcare. More companies are pursuing this goal. It can be difficult to keep up with all the new companies, given the speed at which they are created.
The Medical Futurist team created an easy-to-read e-book to help you keep up to date with the latest developments in AI medicine. It is highly recommended that you read it. I would love to hear your thoughts about it!
Artificial Intelligence will and has to transform healthcare
Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool that can do unimaginable things. It will revolutionize every aspect of our lives, including medicine, within the next few years. Many are concerned about AI taking over the world. Stephen Hawking said that full artificial intelligence could lead to the demise of the human race. However, I believe that artificial intelligence, if humans prepare for it, will be the next area of cooperation between humans, machines, and other people.
Artificial intelligence will revolutionize healthcare. AI may assist medical professionals in creating treatment plans and finding the most effective methods for each patient. AI might be able to assist with repetitive and monotonous tasks so that doctors and nurses can focus on their actual jobs. Fighting with bureaucratic bureaucracy.
Our AI-book guide is designed to help healthcare professionals and doctors prepare for the future of human-machine collaboration. It’s a great resource to learn more about how this collaboration could be beneficial to medicine.
Mining medical records is one of the most obvious applications of AI in medicine. It is the first step towards revolutionizing existing healthcare systems.
This example shows how AI is so urgently needed
This picture was taken in Budapest, a Hungarian capital hospital. I don’t want to comment on how the index-card holder is used. The staff manages patient appointments manually on a huge blackboard. This scene could have been taken from an early 20th century hospital, but it is a healthcare institution in the second decade 21 .
These systems are not sustainable. Artificial intelligence may be able to help. Some entrepreneurs have already recognized the immense financial and transformative potential of medical AI. Frost & Sullivan estimates that artificial intelligence systems will bring in $6.7 billion in healthcare revenue by 2021, compared to $811 million in 2015. This market is booming and start-ups are popping up everywhere. Let me now introduce you to some companies that are leading the way in democratising healthcare using artificial intelligence. They are excellent partners in creating more transparent and efficient healthcare. It is worth paying attention to them.
Mining Medical Records in minutes
There is no doubt about the value of patient data in this age of Big Data. It is worth it when tech giants like IBM and Google get involved in patient data mining.
1) Google Health/ DeepMind
DeepMind’s 2019 health team merged into Google Health to “build products to support care teams, improve patient outcomes” Google Health is harnessing AI’s potential to aid in breast cancer screening, predicting outcomes for patients, and more.
These aren’t empty words. Google has actually lived up to its promises. Google Health, in collaboration with its DeepMind branch has developed an AI-based solution to identify breast cancer. The algorithm outperformed all other human radiologists by an average of 11.5%.
Verily, the life sciences arm at Google’s umbrella company Alphabet is also working on Project Baseline, a data-collecting initiative. It will use the same algorithms as Google’s search button to analyze what makes people healthy.
2 (Aumedix)
Augmedix, a medical documentation specialist, developed solutions that extract data from natural doctor-patient conversations and transform it into real-time medical notes. These notes are then automatically transferred to EHRs of healthcare providers. Automating administrative tasks and addressing the administrative burdens that healthcare workers face will be a time-saver for the sector. This could also help to reduce burnout symptoms in medical staff.
The latest announcement from the company was “Chart prep”, which is a new service that uses technology to prepare a patient note structure for the doctor based on the specific visit type and patient’s medical records. Physicians can now review all information before seeing patients. This includes demographics, medication history, current medical history, imaging and lab results, past medical, family and social history, as well as patient history.
3) CloudMedX Health
This start-up is located in Silicon Valley’s heart and focuses on optimizing patient and financial outcomes via predictive analytics. CloudMedX uses deep learning and Natural Language Processing (NLP), to extract data from electronic medical records. The outputs include clinical insights for healthcare professionals to help improve patient outcomes. CloudMedx’s AI Assistant assists patients and doctors in making data-driven decisions.
CloudMedx’s solution has been successfully applied to many areas of medicine, including congestive heart disease, liver cancer, ALS, and orthopaedic surgeries, with promising results. CloudMedx was awarded the GITEX Award for “Best Overall Connected Healthcare Solutions” in 2019. I’m hopeful that others will follow their example and exempt medical professionals from data-related administrative burdens.
4) Babylon Health
Babylon Health, based in the UK has already launched its patient-centered remote consultation services to Rwanda, some British cities, the USA, and the Middle East. The app’s free dynamic AI will ask users questions about their problems and match them with a qualified physician via voice or video call. Babylon’s deep learning AI system can provide personalized insights for users to help them stay healthy and better understand themselves.
Babylon Health had a financially sound 2022. Its app has been used by 13 million people for AI and doctor consultations. Last year, there was also some bad news: Babylon Health and NHS terminated their 10-year contracts in Britain due to “challenging international and macroeconomic conditions”. Evidently, the cooperation was not profitable enough to continue.
5) Corti
Corti, an AI-powered “copilot” for emergency medical staffers, is Corti. The AI can understand context and patterns in crucial conversations by listening to patient interviews and analysing background noises and voicemails. It can alert emergency medical personnel if it detects a heart attack and make life-saving decisions.
The company’s dispatchers in Denmark can identify a heart attack based on descriptions received over the phone 73% of times. Corti’s study showed that AI was more accurate than emergency medical dispatchers when it comes to identifying cardiac arrest in emergency calls.
Disrupting Medical Imagery
Medical imaging includes all techniques and methods that allow the body to be represented. ECG, MRI and ultrasound are just a few examples of some of the most well-known medical imaging techniques. What comes to mind when you think of these procedures? A large, uncomfortable room in a hospital that houses a complicated, expensive, and costly machine.
You are absolutely right if that is what you believe. Two-thirds of the population lacks access to medical imagery. This is because current technology is complex, costly, and requires extensive training. These are the issues that innovative AI startups want to address.
1 Butterfly Network
Jonathan Rothberg founded Butterfly Network in 2011, with the aim of creating a handheld medical imaging device that could make both MRIs and ultrasounds much more affordable and efficient. His ultimate goal is to automate most of the medical imaging process.
Butterfly iQ, the company’s first step towards achieving this goal, is the first. The portable, handheld device employs an Ultrasound-on–Chip technology to replace traditional transducer systems with one silicon chip. This allows for whole-body imaging using a single probe. The Butterfly iQ combines cloud technology, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors in a compact form. This makes remote medical imaging possible. It is a boon for remote communities that are now able to access vital medical information.
2 Enlitic
Enlitic leverages the power of deep-learning technologies, particularly its prowess in image recognition, to extract data from radiology images and apply it in unique medical cases. Deep learning is actually the process of a computer taking in data and then, using its vast knowledge from analysing other data, translating that data into a meaningful medical case.
Technology from the start-up can interpret medical images in milliseconds. This is up to 10,000 times faster that the average radiologists. It can integrate seamlessly into any existing healthcare system, allowing physicians to be empowered and optimizing patient outcomes. Enlitic helped radiologists to read cases up to 21% faster, according to a study. Another study found that the algorithm could detect malignant lung nodules in as little as 18 months, even before a biopsy was ordered.
Enlitic has entered into a partnership with GE Healthcare, which will see Enlitic’s Curie platform integrated into GE’s PACS software. This will improve radiologist workflow efficiency and productivity. This collaboration will improve data standardization and efficiency, eliminating radiologists from spending time fixing broken hanging protocols.
3) Arterys
Arterys is at the intersection of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and medical imaging. Arterys, a pioneering start-up, promised to “open up medical imaging to the power and the cloud”.
The FDA-cleared platform, powered by deep learning AI, allows radiology images to be examined faster and can reduce missed detections up to 70%. It also automates mundane tasks, allowing physicians to spend more time on patient care. Arterys is a 24/7, always-connected solution that allows users to have access to important patient data from anywhere in the world.
Tempus Labs, a precision medicine AI powerhouse, purchased Arterys in October 2022. This was perhaps the largest acquisition of imaging AI in history and highlights the segment’s shift from traditional radiology uses.
4) CaptionHealth
Caption Health, formerly Bay Labs was a company that developed AI software. Its goal is to empower medical professionals with high-quality imaging. The company’s product can help improve patient outcomes as well as reduce costs.
The company brought its technology to Africa in 2016 to identify Rheumatic Heart Disease symptoms in Kenyan schoolchildren. To determine if it is seeing RHD, the algorithm used data from ultrasound. Medical professionals were able to identify 48 cases of congenital heart disease (RHD) in just four days. Caption Health stated that the algorithm did what takes a sonographer years to do in just a few minutes.
2022 was a great year for the company. They launched the first US-based in-home ultrasound service to monitor heart health. Following FDA 510(k clearance, they obtained a CE marking for their AI platform for diagnosing cardiac disease.
5) Behold.ai
Behold.ai’s red dot algorithm is based on deep-learning models and can classify a CXR to create heatmaps. The AI was trained using over 30,000 images that had been reviewed by UK-certified Consultant Radiologists. The algorithm was able to detect abnormalities in seconds with a 90% accuracy.
London-based Behold.ai has already collaborated with the NHS and deployed its AI solution to several NHS Trusts. Behold.ai even received the highest quality certification for its ‘InstantTriage’ solution.
The company formed a partnership in June 2022 with NHS Somerset to evaluate Behold’s AI algorithm for diagnosing lung cancers.
6) Oxipit
Lithuanian Oxipit is a developer of automation technologies for medical image. The company’s ChestEye, an AI-double-reading medical imaging tool, is available. It analyzes final radiologists reports and the corresponding medical images. Oxipit Quality works in near-real time and helps identify errors in reporting and improve patient outcomes.
Astra Zeneca and Oxipit launched a pilot study together in 2021. The software was then deployed in two of the largest primary care centers in Lithuania. ChestEye Quality analysed nearly 50,000 chest radiographs and identified 190 clinically relevant findings. 82 of these were subtle pulmonary nodules that could have been missed, potentially identifying early cases of lung cancer.
7) Clarius
Clarius makes portable wireless HD ultrasound machines with cloud storage. The app can also be used to optimize image quality and allow physicians to scan the machine without the need to adjust it.
After FDA approval in 2021, the company was granted CE Mark Certifications and Health Canada approvals in 2022.
Clarius isn’t content with just manufacturing these devices. In October 2022, Clarius launched a platform that allows ultrasound innovators to quickly bring their AI-powered solutions to market by integrating with Clarius.
Accelerating biological data management and drug discovery from years to just weeks
Sometimes, it takes over a decade to develop pharmaceuticals through clinical trial. This can cost billions of dollars. Using AI technology to speed up drug development and make it more affordable would have a huge impact on healthcare.
1 Atomwise
The company, based in San Francisco, aims to lower the cost of medicine development. Supercomputers are used to predict from a database molecular structures ahead of time which potential medicines will work.
AtomNet’s technology uses convolutional neural network technology. This AI technology is similar to that that enables self driving cars and allows you to speak to your phone. AtomNet uses millions of experimental affinity measurements, thousands of protein structures to predict the binding of small molecules and identify a safe and effective drug candidate.
In August 2022, Atomwise and Sanofi signed a $1.2 Billion research collaboration. It focuses on using the AtomNet platform to search small molecules that target up to five drug targets. This platform uses deep learning to design structure-based drugs. It allows for rapid AI-powered searches of Atomwise’s proprietary library that contains more than 3 trillion synthesizable substances.
2 Recursion Pharmaceuticals
The drug discovery company was established in 2013 with the goal of creating a drug discovery platform that combines high-throughput biology with automation. They have imaged billions of human cells, and have generated more than 19 petabytes biological data to feed their AI.
The company can run approximately 2 million experiments per week by combining computer vision with traditional machine learning and neural network. Recursion’s algorithm is able to identify new drug candidates, mechanisms and potential toxicities, which could lead to innovative treatments for patients.
3) iCarbonX
Founded in 2015 by ambitious Chinese company iCarbonX, the company aims to “digitise human lives”. It basically wants to create a “digital version of you”, which will contain biological samples like saliva, DNA, and lifestyle factors like diet and exercise.
iCarbonX uses its AI to search for new signals about ageing, health, and disease by drawing on insights from both biological data and people’s experiences. The company plans to offer a variety of personalized products and services that help people achieve their health goals based on these insights.
4) Deep Genomics
Deep Genomics, a Toronto-based company, created an AI platform which works with its experts to develop and discover genetic medicines. It also offers novel therapeutic options for unmet medical needs. In September 2019, the company announced that it had discovered a novel treatment target for Wilson’s Disease and a corresponding drug candidate. Deep Genomics is also currently working on Project Saturn, which it calls a “toolkit to control cell biology along critical pathways”, which will speed up the discovery of treatments.
5) Turbine
Turbine, which was founded in Hungary, developed the Simulated Cell technology. This is a virtual high definition tumour cell that uses manually curated literature and can be customized to create any model. This model can be used to run millions of simulations, which are guided by an AI. The aim is to understand and optimize the treatment.
This technology has already been used in collaborations by Bayer, University of Cambridge and top Hungarian research group to discover new cancer treatments, speed up the time it takes to market and save lives of patients with incurable forms of the deadly disease.
6) RDMD/AllStripes
AllStripes (formerly RDMD), mission was to make patient’s medical information, particularly when it comes to rare disorders, as easily accessible, accurate, usable, and useful for medical researchers. Patients also have control over their data. These measures were created to enable patients to participate in the research for rare diseases. RDMD’s platform for research can help to speed up rare disease research and drug discovery by analyzing the data.
Health Management
1) Ada Health
Ada, a Berlin-based health company that offers self-assessment apps for end-users, is an app that allows them to assess their own health. It started as a platform for doctors, but was modified in 2016 to be more accessible to patients. Nearly 13 million people use the app. It compares symptoms reported by patients with similar ages and genders and calculates the probability that the patient has a particular condition. The current version is available in English and French, as well as Spanish, Portuguese, Swahili and Romanian.
The Epic App Orchard app was made available in May 2022. It also received a Class IIa European medical device certification in the fall 2022.
2) MySense AI
MySense is a platform for wellbeing analytics. Through passive IoT sensors, it collects data about daily activities. It uses an AI algorithm to learn about a person’s behavior patterns and determine what “being well” looks like. Patients can monitor their health online and detect any declines in their health in real-time.
The company has a unique partnership with the South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust. This trust aims to support people in their own homes and maintain their independence for longer periods of time. Their technology appears to significantly reduce hospital visits.
3) Diabeloop
Diabeloop is a major player in therapeutic AI for insulin delivery. Its solution to automated type 1 diabetes treatment calculates insulin doses for patients throughout the day, and then administers them in an automated and personalized manner.
The company released the results of a 12-month data collection study in 2022. The cohort consisted of 4,162 patients from Germany, Spain, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. Over a year of actual-world usage, the study showed 17.6% time-in-range improvement. Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) was experienced by patients for less than 20 minutes daily.
4) Skinvision
Skinvision created an app that allows users to remotely assess suspicious skin lesions. The app allows users to take a photo of the lesion and upload it to the app. After filling out the questionnaire, the AI algorithm will prepare a preliminary evaluation. This can be done in just a few minutes. A final dermatologist will conduct the final evaluation within 1-2 days after this preliminary diagnosis.
5) Woebot
Woebot, an AI-powered mental wellness app, uses cognitive behavioral therapy tools and AI to help teens and adults find their inner peace. Although the chat-algorithm doesn’t replace a psychiatrist or psychologist, many users said that it helped them to take their first steps. Many users reflected on the positive aspects to using their phones for mental help. You don’t need to leave your home and there is no stigma attached.
The app can be used to help people with depression have empathic conversations and treat their symptoms.
Please let us know if you are aware of any other companies that use artificial intelligence to disrupt healthcare.
The Medical Futurist published the article Top Artificial Intelligence Companies in Healthcare to Keep an Eye on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is alternative medicine important?
Alternative medicine is very popular, as they are often less expensive and more beneficial than traditional treatments. There have been cases in which patients have died from side effects, such as allergic reactions, after receiving these treatments. It’s also possible that certain alternative therapies may not help at all.
If you don’t understand enough about alternative medications, it can make your choice difficult. Vitamin supplements, such as vitamin pills, are not controlled like pharmaceuticals. Therefore, it is possible to overdose. Even worse, some alternative remedies contain toxic chemicals.
What is holistic medical opposite?
Holistic medicine is a way to approach health care that takes into account all aspects of the body, as well as its spiritual, emotional, and social dimensions. It recognizes that each illness must have multiple causes, and therefore requires a combination or several treatments to be most effective.
Holistic medicine doctors believe that prevention is more effective than treatment. To achieve optimal wellness, holistic medicine doctors work closely alongside their patients.
They are trained to spot the root causes and prevent future disease. Holistic physicians look at the whole person and not just the physical organs. They refer to the whole of being as “the entire body.”
This means that they look beyond the skin and treat the body holistically. The doctor may recommend changes in diet, exercise, or lifestyle. He may also suggest meditation or yoga exercises, herbal supplements, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, or other forms of alternative medicine.
What is the difference between Naturopathic Medicine and Holistic Medicine,
The two main types of medicine are conventional medicine and complementary/alternative medicine. Conventional medicine relies on drugs and surgery as its primary treatments. Complementary/Alternative Medicine (CAM) uses natural therapies such as herbs, vitamins, acupuncture, and massage to treat illness and promote health. CAM is not meant to replace conventional treatment, but to help patients who are able to choose what is best for them.
Naturopathy on the other side is meant to be used in conjunction with conventional medical procedures. The whole person, mind and spirit are treated by naturopathy. There are many types of naturopathy. These include Ayurveda (Chinese Medicine), Traditional Native American Medicine (TNAM) and Functional Medicine.
It is important not to forget that some CAM modalities overlap or complement conventional medicine. For example, herbal remedies can be prescribed by doctors and naturopaths alike. However, naturopaths emphasize lifestyle changes more than prescription drugs.
Naturopathy can be called “complementary” when it is used in combination with conventional medicine. Naturopaths may prescribe medication when needed.
There are differences between naturopathic medicines and other CAM modalities.
- Naturopaths usually do not diagnose or prescribe medication.
- Naturopaths will work with the patient’s family medicine and may refer patients outpatients to specialists, if necessary.
- Naturopathic physicians are regulated by provincial licensing boards, whereas CAM practitioners are self-regulated.
- Naturopathy emphasizes prevention, wellness, and education about diet & exercise.
- Naturopaths strongly emphasize lifestyle factors, which include nutrition, sleep, stress management, exercise, and mental well-being.
- Naturopharmacists focus on the use of minerals and botanicals to treat certain conditions.
- Naturopodists can provide personalized care, based on the individual needs of each patient.
- The College of Naturopathic Physicians of Ontario issues licenses for Naturopaths.
- The provincial regulatory bodies issue licenses to naturopatrists.
- Naturopaticians have been registered with The Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors.
- The College of Naturopaths of British Columbia issues licenses to Naturotherapists.
- The United States National Board of Medical Examiners is authorized to license Naturobiotic therapists.
- The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency licenses homeopaths.
- Holistic refers to the belief in all aspects of one’s life, including spiritual, physical, and emotional. Holistic doctors will look at all of these aspects rather than just one.
What does it mean to use complementary medicine?
Complementary Medicine is an umbrella term for any medical treatment that complements mainstream medicine. This includes massage therapy, acupuncture and aromatherapy as well as traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, yoga, and reflexology.
Complementary medicines should not be used in lieu of traditional medicine. They should be used alongside it. They’re also sometimes called “alternative” or “integrative” medicine because they integrate Western scientific methods with other approaches that have been proven effective in healing people.
Is holistic medicine considered safe?
Holistic Medicine may not be as dangerous as you might think. However, there are many risks involved in using this treatment. Side effects most commonly include headaches and nausea. Patients must understand these risks and weigh them against the benefits of alternative treatments such as acupuncture.
There have never been any cases of death related to holistic medicine.
Talk to your doctor before you begin any new treatment plan.
Statistics
- An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
- These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
nccih.nih.gov
- Statistics on Complementary and Integrative Health Approaches
- What’s in the Name of Complementary and Alternative Health?
webmd.com
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING AND TENSION-TYPE HEADACHE – PubMed
- The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Hospital Anxiety and Depression in Female Older Adults: a Randomized Controlled Trial – PubMed
doi.org
How To
What should I look for when looking for a qualified holistic doctor
How do you find a holistic doctor?
The best doctors are those who specialize in the field they practice. We are referring to holistic medicine in this instance. Doctors must be able to treat patients holistically. This includes treating the whole person and not just the symptoms. You should be able to explain your holistic health to them and why you would like to see a holistic physician.
Doctors must be well-versed in holistic health. They should also be familiar with complementary and other therapies (CAM), like acupuncture or chiropractic care.
Holistic practitioners should also be capable of diagnosing your condition and explaining the available treatments to you so that you can make an informed decision about your treatment options.
Ask if your doctor is certified by professional organizations such as the American Holistic Medical Association or the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. NBOHMCA certification is available in many areas, such as naturopathic, acupuncture or homeopathy, clinical nutritional, herbal medicine, aromatherapy and clinical nutrition.
Look through our directory to find a holistic doctor in your region. If there isn’t one listed, you may be able to search online for a holistic doctor near you.
Ask your local hospital or doctor to verify if they offer holistic care.
You can also visit your local library for books and resources on holistic health.
–
——————————————————————————————————————————————
This blog is a source of general information and discussion on health and related topics. Information and materials on this blog, on the website, or in any of the connected materials are not intended to replace or used as a substitute for the advice of a medical professional, diagnosis, or treatment. This blog does not represent the application of any nursing, medical or other health professional advice or diagnosis. We are unable to diagnose health conditions, offer second opinions or provide specific treatment recommendations via this blog or on our website.
If you or another person is suffering from a medical issue and you are concerned, consult your doctor or seek out other medical professional treatment as soon as possible. Do not disregard medical advice from a professional or delay seeking it due to information you seen on the blog or website or in any of the linked materials. If you’re experiencing an emergency medical situation, dial 911 or seek emergency medical assistance on the closest phone immediately.
——————————————————————————————————————————————
By: berci.mesko
Title: Top Artificial Intelligence Companies In Healthcare To Keep An Eye On
Sourced From: medicalfuturist.com/top-artificial-intelligence-companies-in-healthcare
Published Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2023 09:00:00 +0000
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is alternative medicine important?
Alternative medicine is very popular, as they are often less expensive and more beneficial than traditional treatments. There have been cases in which patients have died from side effects, such as allergic reactions, after receiving these treatments. It’s also possible that certain alternative therapies may not help at all.
If you don’t understand enough about alternative medications, it can make your choice difficult. Vitamin supplements, such as vitamin pills, are not controlled like pharmaceuticals. Therefore, it is possible to overdose. Even worse, some alternative remedies contain toxic chemicals.
What is holistic medical opposite?
Holistic medicine is a way to approach health care that takes into account all aspects of the body, as well as its spiritual, emotional, and social dimensions. It recognizes that each illness must have multiple causes, and therefore requires a combination or several treatments to be most effective.
Holistic medicine doctors believe that prevention is more effective than treatment. To achieve optimal wellness, holistic medicine doctors work closely alongside their patients.
They are trained to spot the root causes and prevent future disease. Holistic physicians look at the whole person and not just the physical organs. They refer to the whole of being as “the entire body.”
This means that they look beyond the skin and treat the body holistically. The doctor may recommend changes in diet, exercise, or lifestyle. He may also suggest meditation or yoga exercises, herbal supplements, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, or other forms of alternative medicine.
What is the difference between Naturopathic Medicine and Holistic Medicine,
The two main types of medicine are conventional medicine and complementary/alternative medicine. Conventional medicine relies on drugs and surgery as its primary treatments. Complementary/Alternative Medicine (CAM) uses natural therapies such as herbs, vitamins, acupuncture, and massage to treat illness and promote health. CAM is not meant to replace conventional treatment, but to help patients who are able to choose what is best for them.
Naturopathy on the other side is meant to be used in conjunction with conventional medical procedures. The whole person, mind and spirit are treated by naturopathy. There are many types of naturopathy. These include Ayurveda (Chinese Medicine), Traditional Native American Medicine (TNAM) and Functional Medicine.
It is important not to forget that some CAM modalities overlap or complement conventional medicine. For example, herbal remedies can be prescribed by doctors and naturopaths alike. However, naturopaths emphasize lifestyle changes more than prescription drugs.
Naturopathy can be called “complementary” when it is used in combination with conventional medicine. Naturopaths may prescribe medication when needed.
There are differences between naturopathic medicines and other CAM modalities.
- Naturopaths usually do not diagnose or prescribe medication.
- Naturopaths will work with the patient’s family medicine and may refer patients outpatients to specialists, if necessary.
- Naturopathic physicians are regulated by provincial licensing boards, whereas CAM practitioners are self-regulated.
- Naturopathy emphasizes prevention, wellness, and education about diet & exercise.
- Naturopaths strongly emphasize lifestyle factors, which include nutrition, sleep, stress management, exercise, and mental well-being.
- Naturopharmacists focus on the use of minerals and botanicals to treat certain conditions.
- Naturopodists can provide personalized care, based on the individual needs of each patient.
- The College of Naturopathic Physicians of Ontario issues licenses for Naturopaths.
- The provincial regulatory bodies issue licenses to naturopatrists.
- Naturopaticians have been registered with The Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors.
- The College of Naturopaths of British Columbia issues licenses to Naturotherapists.
- The United States National Board of Medical Examiners is authorized to license Naturobiotic therapists.
- The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency licenses homeopaths.
- Holistic refers to the belief in all aspects of one’s life, including spiritual, physical, and emotional. Holistic doctors will look at all of these aspects rather than just one.
What does it mean to use complementary medicine?
Complementary Medicine is an umbrella term for any medical treatment that complements mainstream medicine. This includes massage therapy, acupuncture and aromatherapy as well as traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, yoga, and reflexology.
Complementary medicines should not be used in lieu of traditional medicine. They should be used alongside it. They’re also sometimes called “alternative” or “integrative” medicine because they integrate Western scientific methods with other approaches that have been proven effective in healing people.
Is holistic medicine considered safe?
Holistic Medicine may not be as dangerous as you might think. However, there are many risks involved in using this treatment. Side effects most commonly include headaches and nausea. Patients must understand these risks and weigh them against the benefits of alternative treatments such as acupuncture.
There have never been any cases of death related to holistic medicine.
Talk to your doctor before you begin any new treatment plan.
Statistics
- An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
- These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
nccih.nih.gov
- Statistics on Complementary and Integrative Health Approaches
- What’s in the Name of Complementary and Alternative Health?
webmd.com
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING AND TENSION-TYPE HEADACHE – PubMed
- The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Hospital Anxiety and Depression in Female Older Adults: a Randomized Controlled Trial – PubMed
doi.org
How To
What should I look for when looking for a qualified holistic doctor
How do you find a holistic doctor?
The best doctors are those who specialize in the field they practice. We are referring to holistic medicine in this instance. Doctors must be able to treat patients holistically. This includes treating the whole person and not just the symptoms. You should be able to explain your holistic health to them and why you would like to see a holistic physician.
Doctors must be well-versed in holistic health. They should also be familiar with complementary and other therapies (CAM), like acupuncture or chiropractic care.
Holistic practitioners should also be capable of diagnosing your condition and explaining the available treatments to you so that you can make an informed decision about your treatment options.
Ask if your doctor is certified by professional organizations such as the American Holistic Medical Association or the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. NBOHMCA certification is available in many areas, such as naturopathic, acupuncture or homeopathy, clinical nutritional, herbal medicine, aromatherapy and clinical nutrition.
Look through our directory to find a holistic doctor in your region. If there isn’t one listed, you may be able to search online for a holistic doctor near you.
Ask your local hospital or doctor to verify if they offer holistic care.
You can also visit your local library for books and resources on holistic health.
Leave a Reply