Medical Schools and Integrative Oncology
Medical schools are key to the advancement of integrative oncology. Probably the most significant hold back in integrative medicine in general is the lack of preparation in the subject that doctors receive in their education. Complementary therapies should be integrated into the curricula of all medical schools. Medical degrees should require core courses in complements to conventional medicine. It is especially critical that oncologists have full knowledge of the myriad of non-toxic, non-invasive treatments than can be openly discussed and prescribed for patients that choose that direction. They need to be keenly aware of the latest in treatment options and follow closely the research being conducted for integrative treatment. This has to be done in parallel with the opening up of the integrative medicine market and the lifting of the restrictions on its application. There is no advantage in open-minded doctors with constraints on their practice. Neither is there advantage in unconstrained practice with doctors ignorant of integrative medicine.
Unfortunately, medical schools have no incentive to add alternative medicine to their core curriculum. That incentive must come from the government and professional agencies. The Congress needs to enact legislation that legitimizes integrative medicine by mandating its inclusion in all medical schools. The AMA policies would have to change to encourage research and development of integrative medicine with the same priority as conventional medicine. Results would be published in the journals and would be studied in the schools. Big pharma will probably never invest in research of natural alternatives to high-priced drugs because of poor return on investment. The obvious opportunity for such research would be within the major medical schools and medical centers. Their funding is primarily through government appropriations and private grants. Therefore, the future of integrative cancer treatment is in government funding earmarked for its research and development as well as private donors and foundations shifting their priorities toward the same purpose.
July 9th, 2009 at 01:37
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