Chapter 16-Conventional and Complementary Medicine

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms, concepts, and therapies from Chapter 16 on conventional, complementary, and integrative medicine, self-care, and health-care financing.

Self-Care

Personal health actions that prevent disease, detect symptoms, and manage minor conditions without professional help.

When to See a Physician

Seek professional care for symptoms that are severe, unusual, persistent, or recurrent.

Emergency Symptoms

Major trauma, uncontrollable bleeding, intolerable pain, severe shortness of breath, sudden numbness or speech difficulty, seizure, stupor, or severe allergic reaction.

Self-Treatment (Nondrug)

Use of ice, massage, stretching, rest, hydration, dietary changes, humidifiers, ergonomic adjustments, and stress-management techniques.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medication

Drugs the FDA deems safe and effective for use without a prescription when label directions are followed.

Safe Self-Medication Guidelines

Read labels, follow dosage/time limits, avoid multi-drug overlap, choose single-ingredient products, heed expiration dates, store in cool dry places, and consult a provider if pregnant or chronically ill.

Home Medical Care Kit

Supplies such as analgesics, antacids, antihistamines, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic, fever reducers, decongestant, hydrocortisone, bandages, gauze, tape, wipes, thermometer, and tweezers stored in a cool, dry, child-safe spot.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Health practices outside conventional medicine; used with (complementary) or instead of (alternative) standard care.

Integrative Medicine

Coordinated use of conventional and complementary therapies that treat the whole person and may combine multiple interventions (e.g., drugs plus yoga).

Conventional Medicine

Standard Western biomedicine that defines diseases by signs/symptoms and relies on pharmaceuticals, surgery, and technology.

Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

Scientific study design that randomly assigns participants to treatment or control groups to test efficacy.

Meta-Analysis

Statistical method that combines data from multiple similar RCTs to strengthen conclusions.

Placebo

Biologically inactive substance indistinguishable from the experimental drug.

Placebo Effect

Patient improvement after receiving a placebo; typically seen in 30–40 % of participants.

Treatment Effect

Outcome difference between an experimental treatment and its placebo counterpart.

Primary Care Physician (PCP)

Frontline doctor who provides general medical care, referrals, and continuity of treatment.

False Positive

Diagnostic test result that incorrectly indicates a disease or condition is present.

False Negative

Diagnostic test result that fails to detect an existing disease or condition.

Adverse Drug Event (ADE)

Injury resulting from prescription drug use, including errors, reactions, and interactions.

Holistic Health Care

Approach that views mind, body, and spirit as interconnected and treats the whole person.

Alternative Medical Systems

Complete health systems developed outside Western medicine, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and homeopathy.

Mind–Body Medicine

Therapies using mental processes to influence physical health (e.g., meditation, yoga, prayer).

Natural Products

Herbal remedies, botanicals, and animal-derived substances taken for medicinal purposes.

Manipulative and Body-Based Practices

Hands-on methods like chiropractic, massage, and osteopathic manipulation.

Energy Therapies

Treatments that aim to balance or apply subtle energies, such as Reiki or therapeutic touch.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

System viewing illness as imbalance or blockage of qi; treats with herbs and acupuncture.

Qi

Vital energy in TCM believed to sustain life and health.

Acupuncture

TCM technique inserting needles at specific points to balance qi; supported by growing evidence.

Homeopathy

Practice of using highly diluted substances to stimulate the body’s self-healing by the principle “like cures like.”

Naturopathy

System emphasizing the body’s innate ability to maintain and restore health through natural means.

Hypnotherapy

Guided relaxation and imagery used to modify behavior, reduce pain, and alleviate anxiety or phobias.

Drug–Herb Interaction

Pharmacological effect occurring when herbal products alter the action of conventional drugs.

Chiropractic

CAM practice focusing on the relationship of spine and nervous system through joint manipulation and lifestyle advice.

Reiki

Energy therapy positioning hands on/near the body to channel healing life force.

Therapeutic Touch

Technique using hand motions near the body to detect and correct energy imbalances.

Magnet Therapy

Application of static magnets for pain or circulation; evidence does not support effectiveness.

Exercise Is Medicine (EIM)

Initiative promoting physician-prescribed physical activity for prevention and treatment of disease.

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

2010 U.S. law expanding insurance coverage, preventing discrimination for preexisting conditions, and increasing preventive services.

Deductible

Amount a patient pays out-of-pocket before insurance begins covering costs.

Copayment

Fixed amount a patient pays for a medical service while insurance covers the rest.

Indemnity Plan

Insurance that reimburses fees for each service, shared between patient and insurer.

Managed Care Plan

Insurance model contracting with provider networks to deliver services at reduced costs.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)

Prepaid managed care plan covering services within its network of providers.

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)

Plan offering lower fees within a network but allowing outside care at higher out-of-pocket cost.

Point-of-Service (POS) Plan

Managed care option with lower costs inside the network but high expenses for self-referred outside care.

Medicare

Federal health insurance for adults 65 + and certain younger persons with disabilities.

Medicaid

Joint federal-state program providing health coverage for people with low income.