Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is an emerging and increasingly popular group of treatments, therapies and philosophies of health and wellbeing. It is a fascinating and fast-changing area of social life, which also poses an interesting challenge to current healthcare delivery and policy making. This reader presents a lively and engaging collection of classic, controversial and new readings on CAM and covers issues including: changes in the way CAM is developing and being delivered holism and what this concept means to CAM practice changes in consumption and the health consumer that have lead to increased interest in CAM the safety and effectiveness of CAM treatments how integration is being achieved in contemporary society. The text provides insight into many of the current and complex issues surrounding CAM, and will appeal to everyone who is concerned with, or who has an interest in, complementary and alternative healthcare. The book will be essential reading for students of CAM, health studies, nursing, medicine and allied health subjects, as well as medical sociology and modern health policy.

Starting from the premise that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a fascinating and fast-changing area of social life, this book explores the challenging issues associated with CAM in the context of the social, political and cultural influences that shape people's health.
Divided into three parts, the introductory chapter sets out the general context of social change, consumption and debate around the rise of public interest in CAM. The first part goes on to argue for and against different classifications of CAM, leading into a discussion of how CAM developed in a political and historical context. The Reader is invited to critically assess the importance of ethics and values to CAM practice and how these inform what practitioners do. The second part focuses on the question of what people want, the changing and contested nature of health, and the nature of personal and social factors associated with the use of CAM. This leads to a focus on 'therapeutic relationships'. The final part of the book examines the diversity of settings in which CAM takes place and the social, political and economic milieu in which CAM is provided and used.
This book will appeal to everyone who is concerned with or has an interest in CAM. It will be of particular interest to people working in the areas of CAM, health and social care and the voluntary sector. Together with its accompanying text, Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Structures and Safeguards, it forms the core text for the Open University course K221 Perspectives on Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Starting from the premise that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a fascinating and fast-changing area of social life, this book explores the challenging issues associated with CAM in the context of the social, political and cultural influences that shape people's health.
Divided into three parts, the introductory chapter sets out the general context of social change, consumption and debate around the rise of public interest in CAM. The first part goes on to argue for and against different classifications of CAM, leading into a discussion of how CAM developed in a political and historical context. The Reader is invited to critically assess the importance of ethics and values to CAM practice and how these inform what practitioners do. The second part focuses on the question of what people want, the changing and contested nature of health, and the nature of personal and social factors associated with the use of CAM. This leads to a focus on 'therapeutic relationships'. The final part of the book examines the diversity of settings in which CAM takes place and the social, political and economic milieu in which CAM is provided and used.
This book will appeal to everyone who is concerned with or has an interest in CAM. It will be of particular interest to people working in the areas of CAM, health and social care and the voluntary sector. Together with its accompanying text, Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Structures and Safeguards, it forms the core text for the Open University course K221 Perspectives on Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a fascinating and fast-changing area of medicine. This book explores the challenging issues associated with CAM in the context of the social, political and cultural influences that shape people's health. It: provides an overview of social change, consumption and debates arising from the increased public interest in CAM, arguing for and against different classifications discusses how CAM developed in a political and historical context, critically assessing the importance of ethics and values to CAM practice and how these inform what practitioners do analyzes the question of what people want, the changing contested nature of health, and the nature of personal and social factors associated with the use of CAM examines the diversity of settings in which CAM takes place explores the social, political and economic milieu in which CAM is provided and used. The book is one of three core texts for the forthcoming Open University course K221 Perspectives on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (first presented in February 2005).

Some people have always had to find ways of living with long term conditions such as diabetes or coeliac disease, but as people live longer, increasing numbers of us now experience long-term poor health. While some conditions that previously limited the length of life are manageable a growing number of people live with long-term conditions. Against this backdrop, Long Term Conditions explores the complex issues surrounding the experience of long-term illness and the enormous pressure this puts on individuals, their families and carers and on health and social care services. The perspectives of each of these groups are voiced within this book, with chapters written by people who use health and social care services, carers, policy-makers and practitioners. Using a variety of research methods to get to the heart of the matter, the book probes assumptions about the experience of long-term poor health and what constitutes good care. Its aim is to challenge readers to think critically about existing policy and provision and to inspire change based on sound evidence and a drive towards greater multi-professional working. Long Term Conditions provides academics, practitioners and students with a thorough grounding in the complex issues surrounding the experience and management of long-term illness. It is an ideal text for courses on policy, management and practice in health and social care.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a fascinating and fast-changing area of medicine. This book explores the challenging issues associated with CAM in the context of the social, political and cultural influences that shape people's health.
The book provides an overview of social change, consumption and debates arising from the increased public interest in CAM, arguing for and against different classifications. It discusses how CAM developed in a political and historical context, critically assessing the importance of ethics and values to CAM practice and how these inform what practitioners do. The book continues by analyzing the question of what people want, the changing contested nature of health, and the nature of personal and social factors associated with the use of CAM. Examining the diversity of settings in which CAM takes place the book explores the social, political and economic milieu in which CAM is provided and used.
The book is one of three core texts for the forthcoming Open University course K221 Perspectives on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (first presented in February 2005).

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is an emerging and increasingly popular group of treatments, therapies and philosophies of health and wellbeing. It is a fascinating and fast-changing area of social life, which also poses an interesting challenge to current healthcare delivery and policy making. This reader presents a lively and engaging collection of classic, controversial and new readings on CAM and covers issues including: changes in the way CAM is developing and being delivered holism and what this concept means to CAM practice changes in consumption and the health consumer that have lead to increased interest in CAM the safety and effectiveness of CAM treatments how integration is being achieved in contemporary society. The text provides insight into many of the current and complex issues surrounding CAM, and will appeal to everyone who is concerned with, or who has an interest in, complementary and alternative healthcare. The book will be essential reading for students of CAM, health studies, nursing, medicine and allied health subjects, as well as medical sociology and modern health policy.