Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research

Conference

Chicago annual conference for physicians examines alternative medical therapies

The annual conference on “Alternative & Complementary Medical Therapies” provides physicians with up-to-date scientific information about mind-body medicine, acupuncture, nutrients-vs-foods, food and immunity, herbal interactions, hormone replacement therapy and women’s health. Organized by clinicians and researchers from the University of Chicago and Mayo Clinic, the conference also considered popular alternative therapies for cardiovascular disease, elevated cholesterol, chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and arthritis.

The three-day conference, held December at the Drake Hotel in downtown Chicago, focused on separating what works from what doesn’t, helping practicing physicians understand the value and the limitations of treatments that are widely available but currently lie outside of mainstream medicine.

“Patients come to their doctors with questions about alternative medicines that they have learned about from non-medical sources and their physicians often feel uncomfortable discussing these therapies,” said Chun-Su Yuan, MD, PhD, co-chair of the conference. “This meeting has been designed to help those on the front lines of patient care assess alternative therapies, respond to questions, discuss the pros and cons of promising but unproven treatments, and help curious patients make thoughtful and informed choices”. The conference addressed both sides of the issues and provided wherever possible an evidence-based view using scientific data and analysis.

Please visit The University of Chicago Center for Continuing Medical Education.