Wikipedia:WikiProject Alternative medicine/Classification Systems
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Our classification systems are hierarchy scales of evaluation that be use to compare one CAM article to another.
Contents |
[edit] Classification by Article Type
Articles in Wikipedia can be classified many different ways. This classification will be utilized by all editors to determine the appropriate infobox to be placed with in the CAM article.
[edit] CAM
An article that is clearly 100% just about CAM.
Examples of CAM would be:
- Homeopathy
- Chiropractic
[edit] Adjunctive to CAM
These articles are mostly about CAM, but cannot be called a major branch of alternative medicine or be rated by all of our classification systems for CAM.
- NCCAM -- This article currently needs some work. We need to add their CAM classication system to it.
- CAM specialties
- Acupuncture can be viewed either as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine or as an independent practice of CAM.
- Specific therapies
- Topics so specific (i.e., micro) to CAM that they cannot be viewed as complete CAM systems (i.e., macro).
[edit] Tangential to CAM
Articles that could be classified many different ways.
- Famous persons of CAM
- Frances Wright was an author, worked to free slaves, founded a commune, and was active both in the health reform and women's liberation movements between 1830s and 1840s.
- Joint Treatments
- Nutrition is a science that can stand on its own as well as be viewed as the natural therapy of eating food. While nutrition is a part of CAM, many Wikipedians would react very negatively to any attempts by this Wikiproject to take it over.
[edit] Not Applicable to CAM
No connection to CAM whatsoever.
Examples:
[edit] Classification by Agent
This is a classification by who is performing the CAM treatments. It will be referenced inside our infobox in CAM articles that are part of the Branches of CAM series.
[edit] Professionalized Modalities
Professionalized modalities are forms of CAM that can be legally practiced only by individuals licensed to do so. This is the basis of all doctor - patient relationships.
[edit] Self-care Modalities
Self-care modalities are forms of CAM that an individual can perform by themselves, even if they need to be trained to do so.
[edit] Group Modalities
Group modalities are forms of CAM that an individual must seek out and perform with a group of like minded people.
- Support groups
- Dancing
[edit] Not Applicable
- History of CAM
- Famous people of CAM
[edit] Classification by Culture
It will be referenced inside our infobox in CAM articles that are part of the Branches of CAM series.
[edit] Western
- European Culture
- New World Culture
- American
[edit] Eastern
- Chinese Culture
- traditional Chinese medicine
- Asian Indian Culture
- Ayurveda
- Japanese Culture
[edit] Other Cultures
- Eskimo Culture
- African Culture
- Native American Culture
- Australian Culture
- Australian Aborigine Culture
[edit] Classification by Standard of Knowledge and Quality of the Evidence
It will be referenced inside our infobox in CAM articles that are part of the Branches of CAM series.
=== "Real" Science === Offers the highest quality of Knowledge / Evidence by Western standards. * The practice of evidence-based medicine is by definition backed by "real" science. * Integrative medicine has high-quality scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness standing behind it. These are CAM treatments that have actually been "proven" to work beyond palliative care.
===Protoscience=== Is speculation or hypothesis which has not yet been tested adequately by the scientific method, but which is otherwise consistent with existing science or which, where inconsistent, offers reasonable account of the inconsistency (See Pseudoscience below). In short, a protoscience is presumed to be correct and valid, but we really cannot say for sure since real science has yet to prove it. * Branches of alternative medicine with several research studies that document the effectiveness of its treatments can be classified as protoscience provided the research studies are cited in the article. * The practice of clinical medicine with 85% of its current practices not having been verified by "real" science is thus a protoscience.
===Pseudoscience=== Often the term pseudoscience is used simply as a pejorative to express the speaker's low opinion of a given field, regardless of any objective measures (See Pseudoscience below). As purely a practical matter all branches of alternative medicine should be labeled as pseudoscience unless they can be placed in another category. * Homeopathy ** Samuel Hahnemann before modern science even existed developed the pseudoscience of Homeopathy which used an experimental method of testing his alternate form of science which he called provings.
===Enlightenment=== Enlightenment is a knowledge classification that is reserved for branches of alternative medicine that essentially are about achieving knowledge through some type of inner / mental transformation. This category would also include religious revelations. *Meditation
===Supernatural=== Knowledge transcending the natural Supernatural are forms of knowledge that transcends the natural (i.e., have no physical form of existence). This knowledge classification is reserved for branches of alternative medicine that essentially are about relationships with or control over spirits, ghosts and other supernatural forces that exist as independent entities with cognitive abilities * Shamanism
[edit] Classification by NCCAM
NCCAM has classified CAM therapies into five different categories, or domains (See NCCAM below). It will be referenced inside our infobox in CAM articles that are part of the Branches of CAM series. This classification will, also, be utilized by all editors to determine the appropriate infobox to be placed within the CAM article.
[edit] Alternative Medical Systems
Alternative medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice.
- Homeopathic medicine
- Naturopathic medicine
- Traditional Chinese medicine
- Ayurveda.
[edit] Mind-Body Interventions
Mind-body medicine uses a variety of techniques designed to enhance the mind's capacity to affect bodily function and symptoms.
- patient support groups
- cognitive-behavioral therapy
- meditation, prayer, mental healing
- art, music, or dance
[edit] Biologically Based Therapies
Biologically based therapies in CAM use substances found in nature and the use of other so-called "natural" therapies.
- dietary supplements,3 herbal products
- such as herbs, foods, and vitamins
- shark cartilage to treat cancer
- urine therapy
[edit] Manipulative and Body-Based Methods
Manipulative and body-based methods in CAM are based on manipulation and/or movement of one or more parts of the body.
- chiropractic
- osteopathic manipulation
- massage.
[edit] Energy Therapies
Energy therapies involve the use of energy fields.
[edit] Classification by Safety
This classification ranks CAM by level of safety and effectiveness (See NCCAM below). This classification is utilized by our standards of quality guidelines. CAM articles which indicate within the text that they are either complementary or integrative medicine will be rated safe to the public. Otherwise, they will be rated alternative medicine, dangerous, or unsafe to the public. It will be used during the compliance audits of the respective CAM articles.
[edit] Integrative medicine
Offers the highest level of safety. These CAM therapies have some high-quality scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness standing behind them. In CAM circles, integrative medicine carries as much respect as evidence-based medicine does in conventional medicine.
[edit] Complementary medicine
Complementary medicine is a form of CAM used together with or alongside conventional medicine, especially as palliative care.
[edit] Alternative medicine
This type of CAM offers the lowest level of safety. It is consider dangerous because alternative medical treatments are used in place of conventional medicine.
[edit] Classification by Founder
This classification has two basic options: name of the founder or N/A.
