[ambientambien]

I am currently studying "real," allopathic or "Western" medicine. I have been around medicine for many years. I have been treated by physicians all my life. After much study and experience I can say with confidence that Eastern and Western medicine have both their weak points and strengths. //"Western" medicine has a body of evidence to support its claims, "Eastern" medicine what, smells better? Can you provide actual data to support the claim you are making here? -Evidence exists on both sides.

I certainly wouldn't go to an acupuncturist for a broken bone but I might for the pain associated with healing after it's been set. //You could see a Pez dispenser and get the same benefits.

Anecdotal medicine is the basis of what is commonly called "evidence-based medicine" which is standard protocol in diagnosis and treatment, so while my specific experience alone is inconsequential, once joined in a body of other patient outcomes can become a basis for judgment of the treatment. //The snippet from the JAMA article says nothing to agree with what you said. The plural of "anecdote" is NOT evidence. Also, you skip the whole "does this actually DO anything" portion of discerning reality frm otherwise. You need to actually demonstrate that acupuncture/whatever DOES something before it gets a chance to gain status as a possible treatment. -I am not authorized to publish any more of the JAMA abstract--it is by subscription only.-EBM (Evidence-Based Medicine) was initially proposed by Dr. David Sackett and colleagues at McMasters University in Ontario, Canada. Dr. Sackett himself says, "good doctors use both individual clinical expertise and the best available external evidence, and neither alone is enough." Part of the body of "clinical expertise" and "best available external evidence" is anecdotal experience along with reliable studies and established clinical evidence.

You seem hostile to the concept of alternative medicine which in fact has become more accepted over the time and space of several generations. //Examples? - Read your posts, See above "pez dispenser" comment. The most recent one about crystals has a markedly hostile tone.

I see a natural marriage between the two which I know from experience is yet to be fully recognized in Western practice. //More like a parasitic relationship between the body's ability to recover and "alternative medicine" getting credit for it. -Your opinion. Many would disagree. I don't have time to track down studies about alternative medicines benefits and short-comings--there are both available in abundance. I think there are a number of 'alternative' therapies' which have proven helpful in a number of ways. The point of clinics like the one at Andrews, is to learn, promote healing and add to the body of knowledge on this particular modality. Your blatant disdain adds nothing to the conversation.

It's a free country and you are free to pursue the style of medical care you like best which most agrees with your philosophy of medicine. Medical education is rigorous and my desired outcome is to become a licensed practitioner using the best available information, methodology, and modalities to heal my patients. I will have legal and ethical constraints to consider and I will ALWAYS keep the tenets of the Hippocratic Oath at the fore, "First do no harm."

As a future practitioner myself, I expect to follow established protocols with some inclusion of other recognized alternative therapies as part of a patient's overall treatment plan.//Again, examples? - Of what? My future practice?


In any case, I believe in thinking outside the box and if acupuncture turns out to be part of the mix, I'm okay with that as an additional tool in treating human illness. //If acupuncture can come up with data and a preponderance of evidence to support the claims it makes, I'm fine with it being used as well. Until then, falsely legitimizing something like acupuncture by giving it a DoD stamp of approval is reckless, in my opinion. -Again, your opinion. I didn't see you today at med school; sick day?

Oh and physicians do an number of things including physical contact with patients without gloves.//Such as? I've never had a doctor touch any part of my body without gloves. Sterile technique is pretty important, methinks. -Many types of examinations necessitate the sensitivity of bare fingers to palpate areas to find irregularities. Many parts of a physical exam are commonly done without gloves because gloves are not necessary. "Sterile technique" is used for culturing, test tubes, slides, etc. Surgical asepsisis not necessary or desirable in regards to patient comfort for many aspects of a physical examination. I would challenge your statement of "never...without gloves" as argumentative and untrue; unless you have had cooties your entire life.