Forensic aspects of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)

Background: Currently, in Italy the professions - which are divided into regulated and unregulated - can be an alternative to traditional employment, or complementary to it.In the recent years arised the phenomenon of not recognized professional associations, so that the NCEL (National Council for Economy and Labour) compiled a list called Database on professional association , made from about 200 associations, 42 of which included in the category “Unconventional Medicine”. However, since the work done outside of professional associations is living a situation of lack of consideration, it would be necessary to recognize a proper dignity also to the activities performed outside of a register. Objectives: In this study the authors examine the current Italian legislation related to the use of alternative medicine practices in order to illustrate the need for a definitive legal framework of the subject setting clear rules for the use of unconventional treatments.Recently, in the Anglo-Saxon world came into force the acronym CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine), a group of different medical and therapeutic practices which are not part of the group of conventional medicine, but not even are in contrast to this.In the wake of this new acronym, also in Italy is becoming increasingly common use to define these medical practices with the expression of "Integrated Medicine". Methods: The authors analyze the possibility to integrate the practices of conventional medicine with traditional medicine in public clinics, making by example the experimental model of some regions such as Emilia Romagna and Tuscany. Furthermore, looking at the last Judgment on the case "Di Bella," the authors emphasize that, despite the widespread national practices of alternative medicine, the latter must be supported by evidence of how effective these can be in order to be provided by public clinics and therefore be borne by the NHS. Results and Conclusions: Whereas the unconventional practices are areas that are fully and legitimately part of the professional health, it is desirable to come to a permanent legal framework in this area, setting clear rules for unconventional treatments, in order to guarantee to citizens who choose such treatments the competence of those who practice them and to the same professionals the opportunity to stand out from figures without adequate experience.