Faculty of Health Sciences
Health Sciences 460B
Alternative and Complementary Health
2005-2006
Course Instructor: Dr Don Morrow Course TA: Tom Gantert
Phone:
661-4128
Office
Hours: by appointment
Email: donmor@uwo.ca
Class Hours and Location:
Tuesday:
9:00-10:20 South Valley Building Room # 35
Thursday:
9:00-10:20 South Valley Building Room # 35
Web site: http://instruct.uwo.ca/health-sciences/460/
Course Text: Integrative
Medicine: Principles for Practice by
Benjamin Kliger and Roberta Lee.
Course Description:
HS 460B. Alternative
and Complementary Health. Examines a variety of areas
and issues concerning the whole field of alternative and complementary health.
The course assesses the quantitative and qualitative evidence about different
forms of alternative health including, but not limited to Oriental medicine,
mind-body interventions, manual therapies, and herbal/pharmacological
approaches to alternative health and lifestyle decision-making. The intent is
to provide Bachelor of Health Science students with a comprehensive
understanding about the field of alternative health as well as to provide them
with critical analysis skills of research assessment.
1. To assist students in acquiring fundamental knowledge about
alternative health forms and methods
of use/treatment;
2. To provide a comprehensive examination and assessment of the various
forms of alternative health;
3. To teach and learn critical thinking and analytical skills in
assessing the validity of this rapidly-expanding area of
health within western society. It is important
to
learn how to be intelligent consumers of
Course Grading:
There are two formal examinations in the course (both exams are multiple
choice):
1. Mid-term examination; Thursday February 23, 2006 (50 %)
2. Final Examination during registrar-scheduled examination period (50
%)
Course Modules:
NOTE: There will be additional on-line readings assigned in class for each
module. These assigned readings will be available on our course web site and/or
appropriate links provided in class.
I Introduction (Jan 10 & 12)
This unit assesses some
of the fundamental concepts related to defining and characterizing the field of
alternative/complementary health; basic principles, the ‘medical model’, the
dilemma of evidence, integrating allopathic with alternative perspectives etc.
II Philosophy and Basis for
Alt/Comp (Jan 17 & 19)
We will explore the basis
for the different fields of Alt/Comp and look at person-centred
approaches/interventions including the use of “coaching” models in Alt/Comp
practices.
III Traditional Medicine:
‘Ancient’ Systems, TCM (Jan 24, 26, and 31)
This unit examines some
of the more well-established areas of alternative health such as Oriental
medicine, Native medicine, naturopathy and the current, re-integration of
community-based health care practices.
IV Systems I (Feb 2,7, and 9)
This unit will focus on
two major systems or fields of Alt/Comp, homeopathy and naturopathy.
V Systems II: Manual Healing
Techniques & Mind-body Methods (Feb 14, 16 &
21)
Manual healing and
practical techniques involve elements such as chiropractic, osteopathy, massage
therapy, trager and selected forms of bodywork.
*** Midterm Examination:
Thursday October 23, 2005
Conference Week is Feb 27 to
March 2 inclusive
V (cont’d) Systems II:
Manual Healing Techniques & Mind-body Methods ( March 7, 9 & 14):
Manual healing and practical
techniques involve elements such as chiropractic, osteopathy, massage therapy,
trager and selected forms of bodywork
VI Herbal/Pharmacological
& Unclassified Approaches (March 21, 23, 28)
This unit assesses the
rapidly-emerging field and forms of herbal remedies and pharmacological
interventions. We will limit our discussion to herbal medicine, and
unconventional drugs/vaccines.
VII Integrative Approaches (March 30, April 4, 6)
This section of the course
examines the concept of integrative medicine re 4 of the more common, chronic
health issues: cardiovascular health; chronic fatigue; gastrointestinal system;
pyschiatry.
IX Synthesis (April 11 & 13)
We will be looking at
synthesizing alternative approaches re pediatric care and women’s health.
Overall System of Analysis
for
For each form of
alternative complementary health, we will be examining its historical
background; current practices; level of ‘support’;
evidence/appreciation/validation; resources, material and practitioners.
Wherever feasible, we will try to bring in professionals in the various broad
fields of Alternative/complementary health, as those fields are categorized by
the US National Institute of Health. Thus, the structure of our exploration
within this course will be as follows:
In general, what is the practice of ___________ ?
What patterns of thought/belief support this form of
comp/alt health?
What can we learn from an overview of the history and range
or
variation of associated
practices with this form?
What examples can we extract and examine regarding
diagnosis,
treatment, and use of the
form?
How can we explore the evidence related to ‘scientific’
validation?
How can we explore qualitative evidence related to appreciation
and understanding of the
form?
What professional preparation and qualification(s) are needed
for this form’s
practitioner?