What does the acronym CAM stand for?

The acronym CAM stands for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. This term encompasses a wide range of healthcare practices, therapies, and products that fall outside conventional Western medicine. CAM includes practices such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, yoga, and meditation, among others. The aim of CAM is to provide a holistic approach to health and well-being, integrating both conventional medical treatments and alternative therapies to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of health.

This integration is significant in holistic nursing, where practitioners are encouraged to consider the whole person in their care, thereby promoting overall wellness rather than merely treating symptoms or diseases in isolation. The understanding of CAM is essential for nurses, especially those in holistic healthcare, as it expands the range of options available to support patients in their healing processes.

The other choices reflect variations of medical or assessment terminology but do not accurately represent the broad field of complementary and alternative practices as recognized in healthcare.