Advances in Complementary and Alternative Medicine Conference highlights need to bridge gap between Conventional and CAM Providers

Raising awareness among conventional doctors regarding evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) practices, encouraging referral systems and team work,as well as bridging the gap between conventional and CAM practitioners to offer improved patient care were some of the areas highlighted at anintegrated medicine conference organized by Dubai Healthcare City’sCentre for Healthcare Planning and Quality (CPQ).

Titled 'Advances in Complementary and Alternative Medicine', the conference was held at The Atlantis – Palm in Dubai and drew the participation of over 188 healthcare professionals. Dr David Riley, Clinical Professor, University of NM Medical School, led a panel discussion that addressed the global convergence of conventional and traditional healthcare systems.

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, Executive Director, CPQ, Dubai Healthcare City;Dr Maria AlonsoMedical Director, Dubai Herbal and Treatment Centre; Dr Charles Jones, Clinic Director, California Chiropractic and Sports Medicine Center; Dr Vangelis Zafeiriou,Psychiatrist, President and Founder of the Hellenic Association of Homeopathic Medical Cooperation; Dr Palitha Serasinghe, Director and Clinic Manager, Royal Ayurveda;Dr Shurong Jiang Mandaraki, Managing Director, Emirates Integrated Medical Center,and Dr Tabassum Inamdar, Clinic Manager, Dr Batra’s Homeopathy Clinic, were the other experts that offered insights with supporting case studies at the conference.

Dr. Ayesha Abdullah, Managing Director Dubai Healthcare City, said: “Our mandate is to play aconsistent, strategic andactive role as a catalyst in the healthcare sector. In this direction weaim to continuously organise complementary and alternative medicine conferencesthat will driveawareness and facilitate positive outcomes. Bringing together experts from different regionsand medical practices to discuss relevant topics will help bridge the gap between conventional and CAM providers.”

The outcomes that the discussions generated includedthe imperative need for healthcare professionals, researchers, and policy makers to compare findings and explore the implications of information in one area of knowledge to another while treating illnesses. Additionally, the integrated approach of managing diseases called for leveraging the goodness of Ayurveda in a way that complements allopathic practices for the benefit ofmodern society.

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olamasaid: “The conference aimedat bringing experts in the complementary and alternative medicine domain to come up with solutions and suggestionsforintegrating traditional medicine with modern healthcare practices, particularly in the UAE and the region.”

The conference participantswere awarded with a certificate and sixcontinuing medical education (CME) credits,whichare approved by the Center for Healthcare Planning.