by Betsy Robinson
According to a national telephone survey of people age 50 or older by AARP and the National Institutes of Health’s NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine), two-thirds of older American use some form of complementary or alternative medicine, but less than one-third of these CAM users tell their physicians. Why? The most common reasons were that the physician never asked; the patient did not know she should discuss CAM; and there was not enough time during the office visit. This widespread lack of communication represents not only a lost opportunity for healing but an unnecessary risk of potentially dangerous herb–drug interactions. So AARP/NCCAM has launched a new education campaign called Time to Talk.

Time to Talk offers tools and resources to help doctors and patients communicate more effectively by using wallet cards, posters, and tip sheets — all of which are available free of charge on the NCCAM website (www.nccam.nih.gov/timetotalk/) or from NCCAM’s information clearinghouse (1-888-644-6226). Here are some basics:

Patient Tips
• Take control: Before you go to your doctor, write down your health regimen, including therapies, over-the-counter and prescription medicines, and herbal and dietary supplements. (If you are caring for aging parents, help make this list for them.)
• If you are considering a new CAM therapy, ask your health-care providers about its safety, effectiveness, and possible interactions with medicines (both prescription and over-the-counter).

Provider Tips
• Ask your patients (or their caregivers) to bring a list of all therapies they use,
including prescription, over-the-counter, herbal therapies, and other CAM practices.
• Have your medical staff initiate the conversation, and explain why it is important.