Description
Can evidence based-medicine and complementary and alternative medicine find common ground? Could the placebo effect allow for productive cross-talk?
About the Author
John S. Haller Jr. is emeritus professor of history and medical humanities at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. His most recent books include The History of American Homeopathy: From Rational Medicine to Holistic Health Care; Swedenborg, Mesmer, and the Mind-Body Complex: The Roots of Complementary Medicine; and The History of New Thought: From Mental Healing to Positive Thinking and the Prosperity Gospel.
Reviews
Shadow Medicine explores the foundations of both reductionist biomedicine and complementary and alternative medicine. John S. Haller Jr. shows why the former is unable to deal adequately with the placebo effect and the latter cannot judge the efficacy of its individualistic interventions. This book is an important contribution to an understanding of the contemporary health scene and merits a wide audience. -- Gerry Grob, Rutgers University Shadow Medicine is authored by a master historian of medicine and represents an exciting voyage through the complex worlds of evidence-based medicine and complementary and alternative therapies. The author, who exercises great objectivity, sees possibilities in the placebo effect eventually serving as a catalyst to create common ground between conventional and alternative therapies. -- Pascal James Imperato, MD, MACP, SUNY Downstate Medical Center This provocative book is aimed at challenging the research community, and the questions it raises are important for patients and doctors alike. Publishers Weekly A great read... Brilliantly presented... ZME Science
Book Information
ISBN 9780231169042
Author John S. Haller
Format Hardback
Page Count 288
Imprint Columbia University Press
Publisher Columbia University Press