I am interested in a CAM therapy that involves treatment from a practitioner. How do I go about finding a practitioner?

Before selecting a CAM therapy or practitioner, talk with your primary health care provider(s). Tell them about the therapy you are considering and ask any questions you may have. They may know about the therapy and be able to advise you on its safety, use, and effectiveness, or possible interactions with medications. Here are some suggestions for finding a practitioner:

• Ask your doctor or other health professionals whether they have recommendations or are willing to make a referral.
  
• Contact a nearby hospital or a medical school and ask if they maintain a list of area CAM practitioners or could make a recommendation. Some regional medical centers may have CAM centers or CAM practitioners on staff.
  
• Ask if your therapy will be covered by insurance; for example, some insurers cover visits to a chiropractor. If the therapy will be covered, ask for a list of CAM practitioners who accept your insurance.
  
• Contact a professional organization for the type of practitioner you are seeking. Often, professional organizations have standards of practice, provide referrals to practitioners, have publications explaining the therapy (or therapies) that their members provide, and may offer information on the type of training needed and whether practitioners of a therapy must be licensed or certified in your state. Professional organizations can be located by searching the Internet or directories in libraries (ask the librarian). One directory is the Directory of Information Resources Online (DIRLINE) compiled by the National Library of Medicine ( dirline.nlm.nih.gov ). It contains locations and descriptive information about a variety of health organizations, including CAM associations and organizations. You may find more than one member organization for some CAM professions; this may be because there are different "schools" of practice within the profession or for other reasons.
  
• Many states have regulatory agencies or licensing boards for certain types of practitioners. They may be able to provide you with information regarding practitioners in your area. Your state, county, or city health department may be able to refer you to such agencies or boards. Licensing, accreditation, and regulatory laws for CAM practices are becoming more common to help ensure that practitioners are competent and provide quality services.
  

Will insurance cover the cost of a CAM practitioner?

Few CAM therapies are covered by insurance, and the amount of coverage offered varies depending on the insurer. Before agreeing to a treatment that a CAM practitioner suggests, you should check with your insurer to see if they will cover any portion of the therapy's cost. If insurance does cover a portion of the cost, you will want to ask if the practitioner accepts your insurance or participates in your insurer's network. Even with insurance, you may be responsible for a percentage of the cost of therapy.

4. I have located the names of several practitioners. How do I select one?

Begin by contacting the practitioners on your list and gathering information.

• Ask what training or other qualifications the practitioners have. Ask about their education, additional training, licenses, and certifications. If you have contacted a professional organization, see if the practitioners' qualifications meet the standards for training and licensing for that profession.
  
• Ask if it is possible to have a brief consultation in person or by phone with the practitioners. This will give you a chance to speak with them directly. The consultation may or may not involve a charge.
  
• Ask if there are diseases/health conditions in which the practitioners specializes and how frequently they treats patients with problems similar to yours.
  
• Ask if the practitioners believe the therapy can effectively address your complaint and if there is any scientific research supporting the treatment's use for your condition.
  
• Ask how many patients the practitioners typically see in a day and how much time they spend with each patient.
  
• Ask whether there is a brochure or Web site to tell you more about the practice.
  
• Ask about charges and payment options. How much do treatments cost? If you have insurance, do the practitioners accept your insurance or participate in your insurer's network? Even with insurance, you may be responsible for a percentage of the cost.
  
• Ask about the hours appointments are offered. How long is the wait for an appointment? Consider whether this will be convenient for your schedule.
  
• Ask about office location. If you need a building with an elevator or a wheelchair ramp, ask about it.
  
• Ask what will be involved in the first visit or assessment.
  
• Observe how comfortable you feel during these first interactions.

Once you have gathered the information, assess the answers and determine which practitioner was best able to respond to your questions and best suits your needs.

I have selected a practitioner. What questions should I ask at my first visit?

The first visit is very important. Come prepared to answer questions about your health history, such as surgeries, injuries, and major illnesses, as well as prescriptions, vitamins, and other supplements you take. Not only will the practitioner wish to gather information from you, but you will want to ask questions, too. Write down ahead of time the questions you want to ask, or take a family member or friend with you to help you remember the questions and answers. Some people bring a tape recorder to record the appointment. (Ask the practitioner for permission to do this in advance.) Here are some questions you may want to ask:

• What benefits can I expect from this therapy?
  
• What are the risks associated with this therapy?
  
• Do the benefits outweigh the risks for my disease or condition?
  
• What side effects can be expected?
  
• Will the therapy interfere with any of my daily activities?
  
• How long will I need to undergo treatment? How often will my progress or plan of treatment be assessed?
  
• Will I need to buy any equipment or supplies?
  
• Do you have scientific articles or references about using the treatment for my condition?
  
• Could the therapy interact with conventional treatments?
  
• Are there any conditions for which this treatment should not be used?

 

How do I know if the practitioner I have selected is right for me?

After your first visit with a practitioner, evaluate the visit. Ask yourself:

• Was the practitioner easy to talk to? Did the practitioner make me feel comfortable?
  
• Was I comfortable asking questions? Did the practitioner appear willing to answer them, and were they answered to my satisfaction?
  
• Was the practitioner open to how both CAM therapy and conventional medicine might work together for my benefit?
  
• Did the practitioner get to know me and ask me about my condition?
  
• Did the practitioner seem knowledgeable about my specific health condition?
  
• Does the treatment recommended seem reasonable and acceptable to me?
  
• Was the practitioner clear about the time and costs associated with treatment?

 

Can I change my mind about the treatment or the practitioner?

Yes, if you are not satisfied or comfortable, you can look for a different practitioner or stop treatment. However, as with any conventional treatment, talk with your practitioner before stopping to make sure that it is safe to simply stop treatment--it may not be advisable to stop some therapies midway through a course of treatment.

Discuss with your practitioner the reasons you are not satisfied or comfortable with treatment. If you decide to stop a therapy or seek another practitioner, make sure that you share this information with any other health care practitioners you may have, as this will help them make decisions about your care. Communicating with your practitioner(s) can be key to ensuring the best possible health care.

Can I receive treatment or a referral to a practitioner from NCCAM?

NCCAM is the Federal Government's lead agency for scientific research on CAM. NCCAM's mission is to explore CAM healing practices in the context of rigorous science, train CAM researchers, and disseminate authoritative information to the public and professionals. NCCAM does not provide CAM therapies or referrals to practitioners.

 

General questions you can ask the CAM practitioner

• What types of CAM do you practice?
• Where did you receive your training and qualifications?
• What is your specialty?
• Have you worked with cancer patients before?
• Do you see other patients with my type of cancer?
• How many people with my particular type of cancer have you treated?