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Complementary medicines

The RACGP/AIMA acknowledge the growing use of natural, complementary and alternative medicines and therapies by the Australian population. It recognises that evidence based aspects of complementary medicine are part of the repertoire of patient care in mainstream medical practice.

Complementary and alternative medicine, as defined by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine.

NCCAM classifies natural, complementary and alternative medicines into five categories, or domains:

1. Alternative Medical Systems
   Alternative medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice such as homeopathic and naturopathic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.


2. Mind-Body Interventions
   These interventions include patient support groups, meditation, prayer, spiritual healing, and therapies that use creative outlets such as art, music, or dance.


3. Biologically Based Therapies
   These therapies include the use of herbs, foods, vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements


4. Manipulative and Body-Based Methods
   These methods include chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, and massage.


5. Energy Therapies
   Energy therapies involve the use of energy fields. They are of two types: Biofield therapies such as qi gong, Reiki, and Therapeutic Touch; and Bioenergetic therapies involving the use of pulsed electromagnetic fields, such as pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or alternating-current and/or alternating and direct-current fields.

It is essential that consumers and general practitioners have access to quality information about complementary medicine so that they are empowered to make well- informed choices.

The RACGP/AIMA considers it important that education campaigns are provided to assist the public to take an informed role in relation to complementary medicine and to be aware of the importance of continuing to consult general practitioners in relation to medical conditions and health concerns. It is important that patients inform their general practitioner of any complementary medicine they are using, and that their general practitioners have enough knowledge to interpret and evaluate this information. It is important general practitioners have easy access to this information through various forms of education, databases, websites and prescribing software. You can view the full RACGP/AIMA Joint Position Paper by using the link below.

Publication Date: 8 January 2009
Authorised By: Quality care and research