The best alternative?
Alternative medicine, which encompasses traditional or complementary therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic and herbal treatments, emphasizes holistic approaches that consider the effects of diet, stress and exercise on overall health. Alternative medicine has been proven to be a safe and effective form of treatment for some conditions, and the attractiveness of this more natural form of medicine has propelled it into the realm of mainstream Western medicine including at Hopkins's own Hospital and medical school. Homewood's Health and Wellness Center has followed this trend by recently incorporating alternative medicine as part of its services.
Although we supported the Hospital in taking the progressive step of creating a branch for alternative medicine, we feel that hiring a clinical herbalist for the Center for Health and Wellness is an unnecessary and ill-conceived move on the part of the University. With only two M.D.s and a handful of nurses currently working in the Center for Health and Wellness, we believe that Hopkins resources could be allocated more appropriately. While a clinical herbalist may provide an alternative option that appeals to students who do not wish to undergo conventional treatments, the addition of a general practitioner rather than a specialist should be prioritized.
Yet, if the University were to hire specialists, there are others who would better serve the needs of the student body, such as a gynecologist or dentist, whose availability should take precedence over the option of an alternative medicine practitioner. Currently, students seeking any type of specialist are referred to clinics and hospitals off campus, and it should be no different for students seeking alternative options.
The Center for Health and Wellness, although not a replacement for an established hospital like Union Memorial Hospital, fosters a more welcoming environment and is often the place that students choose to go to instead of hospitals because of its convenient location and affiliation with the University. The deficiency in the number of professional staff and space makes the Center less efficient than it could be and may even deter students from going for treatment. Despite the therapeutic aspect the Wellness Center is attempting to improve upon, the primary concern for the Center should be the general health of the patient. We feel that the University has not maximized its resources by hiring an herbalist instead of a general practitioner who would fulfill the basic needs of more students.
Although we supported the Hospital in taking the progressive step of creating a branch for alternative medicine, we feel that hiring a clinical herbalist for the Center for Health and Wellness is an unnecessary and ill-conceived move on the part of the University. With only two M.D.s and a handful of nurses currently working in the Center for Health and Wellness, we believe that Hopkins resources could be allocated more appropriately. While a clinical herbalist may provide an alternative option that appeals to students who do not wish to undergo conventional treatments, the addition of a general practitioner rather than a specialist should be prioritized.
Yet, if the University were to hire specialists, there are others who would better serve the needs of the student body, such as a gynecologist or dentist, whose availability should take precedence over the option of an alternative medicine practitioner. Currently, students seeking any type of specialist are referred to clinics and hospitals off campus, and it should be no different for students seeking alternative options.
The Center for Health and Wellness, although not a replacement for an established hospital like Union Memorial Hospital, fosters a more welcoming environment and is often the place that students choose to go to instead of hospitals because of its convenient location and affiliation with the University. The deficiency in the number of professional staff and space makes the Center less efficient than it could be and may even deter students from going for treatment. Despite the therapeutic aspect the Wellness Center is attempting to improve upon, the primary concern for the Center should be the general health of the patient. We feel that the University has not maximized its resources by hiring an herbalist instead of a general practitioner who would fulfill the basic needs of more students.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
nbs
posted 10/31/08 @ 4:37 AM EST
As far as I know most herbalist are practicing as general practitioners and not as specialists. They just use natural herbs instead of synthetic drugs. (Continued…)
hopkins student
posted 10/31/08 @ 8:26 PM EST
I completely agree with this editorial. When I go to Health and Wellness I have to wait for hours if it's a walk-in. Even if I have an appointment, it's always a 30-45 minute wait because they're so backed up. (Continued…)
Former JHH employee
posted 11/01/08 @ 3:02 PM EST
The only aspect of CAM that has been "proven" is that it relies virtually entirely on the placebo effect (please read "Snake Oil Science: The Truth about Complementary and Alternative Medicine" by R. (Continued…)
Richard Levine, D.C.
posted 11/04/08 @ 4:51 PM EST
Former JHH employee
posted 11/01/08 @ 3:02 PM EST
"CAM's placebo-eliciting power is all well and good and warm and snuggly, but why a place for it is made at all in any modern science-based institution (which JH still is, presumably) is perplexing". (Continued…)
Nancy Johnson
posted 3/04/09 @ 1:24 AM EST
Yes i agree with you , and nice news thanks. This realy nice news , i watch for them .
Hacienda Heights Endodontist
posted 7/09/09 @ 11:55 PM EST
I completely agree with this editorial. When I go to Health and Wellness I have to wait for hours if it's a walk-in. Even if I have an appointment, it's always a 30-45 minute wait because they're so backed up. (Continued…)
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