Traditional and complementary medicine professionals

Definition:
Traditional and complementary medicine professionals examine patients, prevent and treat illness, disease, injury, and other physical and mental impairments and maintain general health in humans by applying knowledge, skills and practices acquired through extensive study of the theories, beliefs and experiences, originating in specific cultures.

Tasks include:
Conducting physical examinations of patients and interviewing them and their families to determine their health status; developing and implementing treatment plans for physical, mental and psychosocial ailments using applications such as acupuncture, ayurvedic, homoeopathic and herbal medicine; evaluating and documenting patients’ progress through treatment plans; providing health, nutrition and lifestyle advice to individuals, families and communities; prescribing and preparing traditional medicines, such as herbal, plant, mineral and animal extracts, to stimulate the body’s capacity for self-healing; exchanging information about patients with other health care workers as needed to ensure continuing and comprehensive health care; conducting research into traditional and complementary medicines and treatments and disseminating findings such as through scientific papers and reports.