Abstract

PEGADO, Elsa. Complementary and alternative medicines: a reflection on definitions, designations and social demarcations. Sociologia, Problemas e Práticas [online]. 2020, n.93, pp.71-88. ISSN 0873-6529.  https://doi.org/10.7458/SPP20209314996.

“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.

Keywords : complementary and alternative medicines; medicine; health.

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