Unveiling Ethical Issues Surrounding Complementary & Alternative Medicine for Skin Diseases
Using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming increasingly popular as a way to treat skin diseases, and poses a number of ethical issues for health professionals. In a recent preprint posted by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD), Dr. Akash Rau of Michigan State University and Dr. Jane M. Grant-Kels of the University of Connecticut have explored the implications that CAM poses for treating skin diseases and how dermatologists should approach these difficult ethical questions.
The Growing Prevalence of CAM for Skin Conditions
CAM is growing in popularity, with over 41% of patients with psoriasis, eczema, and alopecia areata reporting that they have used CAM for treatment. While some of these treatments may be ineffective and a waste of money, there is a possibility that other treatments may negatively affect the condition, as well as interact with conventional medicines.
The Risks and Benefits of CAM
The article points out that offering CAM treatments as an alternative to conventional medical treatments brings with it some risks for the dermatologist and for the patient. As fiduciaries, dermatologists are ethically obliged to research the treatments, assess the risks and benefits, and educate patients accordingly. Additionally, they must not reject CAM treatments unnecessarily, as this could damage the doctor-patient relationship. At the same time, truthfulness is essential to allow the patient to make an informed decision around the treatment, while the principle of beneficence may suggest that providing CAM treatments is worth the risks for patients who have exhausted all other options.
Social Media and CAM
Social media is a driving factor behind the rise of CAM use, providing an opportunity for unregulated information to reach a wide and susceptible audience. The authors point to the FDA as an organization that should have a role in assessing the safety and efficacy of CAM treatments, and also draw attention to the National Institute of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health website as an important resource. Research must continue to separate safe from risky CAM treatments.
Moving Forward
Ultimately, the authors suggest understanding and communication as the best way to prevent misconceptions around CAM. Patients should be equipped with the information they need to make the best decision for themselves, while physicians must strive to recreate the doctor-patient relationship with honesty and compassion.
