Final answer:
Complementary medicine is used with, alternative medicine is used in place of, and integrative medicine combines conventional treatments with complementary practices. Questions about a provider's qualifications are crucial. The decision-making for children and teens on health treatments should involve considering the maturity and understanding of the individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences Between Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine
The main differences between complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine revolve around their use in conjunction with standard Western medicine, known as biomedicine. Complementary medicine refers to treatments that are used alongside conventional medicine, such as acupuncture or yoga to ease stress. Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional treatments, examples include the use of special diets to treat cancer instead of undergoing chemotherapy. Integrative medicine is a holistic approach that combines conventional Western treatments with complementary practices, aiming to treat the patient as a whole rather than just the symptoms or the disease.
Questions for Your Treatment Provider
If seeking treatment from a provider who offers complementary, alternative, or integrative treatment, it would be essential to ask, "Can you please provide details about your education, training, and credentials in the specific modalities you practice?"
Decision-Making for Treatment in Children and Teenagers
Regarding whether children and teenagers should be able to choose their treatment from providers offering complementary, alternative, and integrative treatment, it's important to consider maturity and understanding of the treatment's potential benefits and risks. While parents and guardians generally make decisions on behalf of minors because they are usually best equipped to determine their child's needs, input from mature adolescents should be considered when making health-related choices.