Publicly-funded and physician-approved naturopathy, Chinese
herbalism, massage therapy and acupuncture are now available
to Alberta kids courtesy of the new CARE (Complementary
Alternative Research Education) program at Edmonton's
Stollery Children's Hospital, which launched in May.
"It's a clinical service," says
Dr Sunita Vohra, a pediatrician and the program's director.
"Our goal is to try to educate and inform families and
the referring physician about complementary and alternative
therapies." The CARE program, which is unique in Canada,
has three arms: research, education and care. "We evaluate
complementary and alternative medicine [CAM] in children
so we can better advise stakeholders," says Dr Vohra.
Patient interest in CAM was the driving force behind
the program. "More and more patients and families are
using it and it's bettering healthcare for children,"
adds Dr Vohra.
HOW
CARE WORKS
The program points parents of chronically ill kids —
like those with leukemia — to the right alternative
therapy and provider. A referral from a pediatrician
is needed if families want to take advantage of the
service. "We want to make sure that the conversation
[about CAM therapies] between parents and physicians
takes place," says Dr Vohra.
First, parents are invited to an
information night where they're told what the program
does and doesn't do. Families are then given an appointment
to be assessed by the multidisciplinary CARE team and
discuss their particular case. "We identify what information
we need to tell families," explains Dr Vohra. "After
we compile what we know, we bring the family back and
speak with them. We don't see our place as the decision
maker."
If the family does choose to opt
for a CAM therapy, they can do so with the provider
of their choice. One drawback of the program is that
patients aren't actually referred to a specific certified
CAM provider. Parents must find the carers themselves
and ensure they're qualified.
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