Complementary and alternative medicines: a reflection on definitions, designations and social demarcations

Authors

  • Elsa Pegado Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia (Cies_Iscte), Lisboa, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7458/SPP20209314996

Keywords:

complementary and alternative medicines, medicine, health

Abstract

“Complementary and alternative medicines” (CAMs) is one of the more common terms used to designate a range of medicines, therapies and therapeutic practices that both find themselves on the margins of so-called “conventional medicine” and are enjoying a growing social visibility in contemporary western societies. Based on a bibliographical review of the existing studies on this subject, the author responds to the need to delimit this field by offering a sociological reflection on the relevant social classifications. The article is organised along three lines: (i) definitions – what CAMs encompass; (ii) designations – the meanings of the terms; (iii) demarcations – the boundaries between these and other therapeutic practices.

Published

2020-03-10

Issue

Section

Artigos