Acceptance of alternative medicines takes another step towards the mainstream this autumn when a unique centre opens at the Vancouver General Hospital. The Tzu Chi (pronounced soo-chee) Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine is a partnership between the Tzu Chi Foundation and Vancouver Hospital, with support from other area hospitals and post-secondary educational institutions. The world-class centre will combine research, education, an information/resource centre and treatment.
Interest in alternative health is steadily growing. “All the documentation tells you that one-third of the population is using non-conventional methods,” says Mike Mahony, executive director at the institute. But about 80% don’t tell their regular physicians of their involvement with alternative medicines, he says. Some patients are afraid of their doctor’s reaction, but Mahony urges honesty. “There are now more and more doctors open to this,” he says. “Our goal is to bring together the conventional and the alternative, and the [institute’s] logo is representative of the two medicines.” The design incorporates the traditional serpent and staff of the caduceus with the Chinese yin/yang symbol.
Not only is the medical profession taking note, but a large section of the population is becoming knowledgeable of the benefits of alternative approaches to maintaining health. “It applies in spades here,” Mahony notes, referring to the cultural diversity of Vancouver. A more health-conscious public is demanding more information and ways of improving their lifestyle. Western medicine takes the approach of fixing a problem if there is something wrong, Mahony says, whereas holistic medicine looks for the underlying cause.
The combination of research, clinics, education and resource centres makes the institute unique. The University of British Columbia and the British Columbia Institute of Technology will be involved in research, and there are also plans to work with the medical school. “I don’t think there’s anything else as comprehensive,” says Mahony.
With the number of partners involved, it will not be surprising if problems arise along the way. “There’s bound to be some conflict as the two [philosophies] integrate,” Mahony says. “It’s not going to be smooth sailing all the way.” But with the majority of practitioners looking forward to the opening, Mahony says the reception from everyone has been very positive.
A number of alternative fields will be represented through a practitioners’ committee. Naturopaths, chiropractors, homeopaths, acupuncturists, and hypnotherapists are just a few of the disciplines. Elaine Stevens, a herbalist serving on the committee, says she is just trying to be a voice for the herbal community.
“The idea of the Tzu Chi is to try to make the best use of alternative and complementary techniques,” she says. “The health of the patient is the most important thing we’re looking at.” Even with a common interest and concern for the individual’s well-being, Steven concedes that it is going to take time to get everyone on the same page. “As long as everyone works together this will be a tremendously successful idea,” she says.
From a personal perspective, Stevens says the development of the institute indicates there is an understanding that a tremendous amount of work can be done before people need hospitalization or acute care. “We should be looking at other ways of treating people.” But, she says, “I don’t see this as the hospital trying to pass or fail various types of treatment.” Instead, the institute may help set standards and protocols for everyone involved in health.
With the exploding growth of interest in alternative medicines, correct information is necessary in order to achieve the full benefit of their potential. “One of the biggest dangers is people self-medicating,” Stevens says. “You don’t want to be taking things that will work in an adversarial way.” And education shouldn’t be limited to patients, either. “If doctors include herbs in their practice, they need greater education to do so.”
As a member of the Acupuncture Association of British Columbia and the Tzu Chi practitioners’ committee, Daniel Cheng sees the institute serving many purposes. Research can determine the validity of some of the alternative methods, and testing can help in other ways as well. “This can be more convincing and help protect the consumers’ rights,” Cheng says. If some methods prove successful during testing, it may eventually lead to cheaper health care for everyone as the health of the general population improves, he adds.
While there may have been skepticism voiced by the medical community in the past, Cheng says he believes that has changed. “In the beginning, they laughed at me,” he says. “The majority now agree with what we’re trying to do.” He says the medical field is more open-minded now, and doctors are trying their best to help with the program.
The institute will require support from other areas to make it a success. “Research is very expensive; we will have to see how this can be done,” he cautions. “We need a lot of support from the government and the public.” Pediatric specialist Dr Wah Jun Tze is the reason for the institute becoming a reality. The blend of Eastern and Western medicines is possible because of his efforts and the fact that his conventional-medicine credentials are impeccable. He was the head of the pediatric endocrinology division of UBC’s medical school, and has been the director of the metabolic investigation unit at BC Children’s Hospital. He also received the Order of Canada in 1994 for his work in promoting children’s health around the world.
“Without him, none of this would happen,” Mahony says of Tze. “He’s the guy with the vision.”
For more information on the institute, contact Mike Mahony at 875-4218.