Final answer:
Western medicine, or biomedicine, uses scientific methods and clinical trials to treat diseases, while complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) often employs traditional knowledge and holistic practices. In Western countries, there is a trend of medical pluralism where these two systems coexist, providing patients with diverse treatment options.
Step-by-step explanation:
Western medicine, also known as biomedicine, is an ethnomedical system that is rooted in Western culture and heavily influenced by scientific discoveries in biology and biochemistry. It employs the scientific method to diagnose and treat diseases, and its treatments are often validated through clinical trials. On the other hand, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) consists of medical systems, practices, and products that are not traditionally part of conventional Western medicine. This includes practices like traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, homeopathy, and naturopathy. CAM focuses on the holistic balance of the body and often utilizes traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and ethnopharmacology.
Biomedicine is commonly used throughout the Western world and relies on technology, research, and scientifically tested cures. In contrast, CAM is influenced by local cultural practices and often integrates natural products and historical health practices. The practice of medical pluralism reflects a fusion of these approaches, where patients may choose from a variety of treatments from different ethnomedical systems. This coexistence is becoming more common in some Western countries like the United States, where there is an increasing incorporation of CAM alongside conventional biomedicine.