A Holistic View Of Evidence-Based Medicine: Of Horse, Cart And Whip

...The Cleveland Clinic has recently introduced the use of herbal medicines as an option for its patients, generating considerable media attention. Some of it, as in the case of the Katie Couric Show, is of the kinder, gentler variety. Some, like The Health Care Blog -- is rather less so. Which is the right response?

One might argue, from the perspective of evidence based medicine, that harsh treatment is warranted for everything operating under the banner of "alternative" medicine, or any of the nomenclature alternative to "alternative" -- such as complementary, holistic, traditional, or integrative. One might argue, conversely, for a warm embrace from the perspective of patient-centered care, in which patient preference is a primary driver.

I tend to argue both ways, and land in the middle. I'll elaborate...