Complementary and alternative medicine in the United States

This report was commissioned in 2002, when 16 National Institutes of Health institutes, centers and offices and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality asked the Institute of Medicine to explore scientific, policy and practice questions that arise from the increased use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the US. A major portion of the report is devoted to an examination and analysis of CAM therapies and their current use. It also addresses questions related to the integration of CAM and conventional medicine. The committee recommends the provision of comprehensive medical care that is based on the best scientific evidence and that promotes choices, including CAM therapies when appropriate. Annotation : 2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).