Practice of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Bangladesh

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank almighty Lord for granting me the capability to proceed successfully. I would like to thank my supervisor, colleagues, and all those who helped me in completing this thesis, without their assistance and guidance this could not be possible. Last but not least, I would like to dedicate my thesis to all those who believe in the richness of learning

DECLARATION

I adjudge, the content of this dissertation is completely collected and done by unaided effort and the material in it, has not been published ever before. The opinion that is reflected in this dissertation is purely my opinion and does not represent any University's opinion.

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Dated:

ABSTRACT

In this research study the identification of more comprehensive methods of inquiry for future related cases in psychology, medicine, and other healthcare fields by seeking to answer the following questions about the perceptions of physicians in general about CAM, physicians more comfortable in recommending CAM or referring patients to CAM providers, physicians perception of the relation of CAM to conventional biomedicine, steps of physicians perception needed to safely and effectively integrate CAM into the biomedical healthcare system in Bangladesh, and types of CAM are used, practiced, and/or recommended in Bangladesh. The design of the research was involved use of quantitative research approaches which were broad in nature of coverage thus ensuring that all sections of the research are covered comprehensibly. This survey was designed in an attempt to determine how CAM fits into the mainstream, conventional treatment plan present in biomedicine by surveying 540 physicians currently licensed to practice medicine in the Bangladesh.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Contemporary Medicine1

The Focus of Medicine2

Overview of CAM2

Background7

Current Uses of Complementary and Alternative Medicine9

Research Questions11

Rationale and Purpose12

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW13

Definition of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)13

Reasons for CAM Use16

Depression17

Pain Management19

Efficacy20

Adverse Effects22

Bipolar Disorders23

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Panic Disorder24

Alternative Therapies for Depression25

CAM Treatments for Depression26

CAM Use Prevalence in Asthma28

Differences between Alternative Medicine and Mainstream Medicine28

Type and Frequency of Usage of CAM30

Prevalence of CAM Use33

Controversies34

Disadvantages of CAM Use35

Communication with Physicians and Other Health Care Providers36

Current Issues in Communication about Alternative Medicine38

Access Barriers to Conventional Medicine and the Use of CAM39

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY43

Research Design43

Sampling46

Instrumentation47

Treatment of the Data48

Reliability and validity48

Validity49

Reliability50

Limitations and Research Issues51

CHAPTER 4: ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION53

Analysis of the survey responses53

Research Answers59

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION69

Limitations and Research Issues72

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Contemporary Medicine

The field of medicine has made great advances, replacing ineffective procedures with a more rational and scientific approach and laying the foundation for modern medicine. Over the past 100 years, medicine has undergone major changes in both philosophy and practice. CM focuses on diagnosing diseases, crisis management, prescribing medicine, and performing surgeries (Zhang 2003). The benefits of x-rays, blood tests, and research have helped the medical profession understand how to treat chronic and acute diseases, while vaccines have almost eradicated infectious diseases. CM continues to be involved in cutting-edge information that opened the field for future scientists and medical personnel to develop other techniques and procedures to protect and monitor society, reduce the burden of disease, and ...