Schweizerische medizinische Wochenschrift. Supplementum
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A comprehensive approach to the broad field of complementary medicine must necessarily embrace the whole question of health policy rules. It is part of this approach to classify complementary medicine as belonging to the field of naturopathy and specific methods, on the grounds that naturopathic methods can, in most cases, be subjected to scientific evaluation. At the same time, however, specific methods such as homeopathy, acupuncture, and neuropathy should not be sidelined. ⋯ It follows that changes to the approval procedures would have an impact on the providers of complementary medicine, as well as on hospitals. At present the individual cantons decide to what extent therapists who are not qualified doctors are permitted to practice complementary medicine. The question whether or not to standardize, simplify or tighten the rules for admission is left open here.