May 16, 2003 commentary

[jasonmccoy]

Reader Tony Kijak writes:

I believe the following link will give JREF readers more insight.
Either Tony or Randi got the name of the institution wrong but
the pseudoscience going on at this facility remains!!!! I am sorry to say that I live in the same city as this medical facility. It is considered "state of the art" and receives huge public as well as private support.

New Hanover Regional Medical Center "HEALING ARTS NETWORK" (http://www.ncartsforhealth.org/NHRMC.htm)


P.S. I have some emails along with replys from different representatives of the hospital. They will be forthcoming!

ENJOY!

[KelvinG]

I think it there is a danger of broadly labelling everything "quackery" if it doesn't fit into the strictly defined category of legitimate medicine.
Now, I'm the first person to jump on false medical claims, but the Healing Arts Network doesn't seem to claim it's treatments are curing diseases.

A quote from the site says:
Services of the Healing Arts Network are ordered by a physician and coordinated with the patient’s overall care plan.

Now, that leads me to believe that such programs are complementary to regular medical techniques. Is it really worth the effort to express outrage over therapies that involve singing, storytelling, and arts and crafts. It seems to me these aren't medical treatments so much as they are compassionate human relations techniques used to keep sick patients spirits high.

Photos of old ladies quilting or being told stories while receiving chemotherapy seem pretty innocent to me.

If your mother had cancer and was undergoing therapy and someone at the hospital said "We'd like to play her some music and read her some stories" would you shout in outrage that you won't tolerate such nonsense?

Now, if they said they were going to do that INSTEAD of chemotherapy, then I would scream like hell. But I don't see anywhere on that website that such indicates these therapies are anything but complementary to accepted medical treatments.

If it makes a patient happy and keeps their spirits high, I say it's alright with me.

[jasonmccoy]

I guess I am more concened with the things that are going on that are not advertised on their website. I have a correspondance from Lorraine Perry (the founder of the "integrative modalities program" you saw a link for at NHRMC.
She mentioned that "healing touch" was being administered and that I could email the point of reference - a nurse also from southeastern NC. I have emailed her and am currently awaiting a reply. I am very concerned about who funds things like "healing touch." Also, if these integrated modalities are part of the overall treatment plan, is the cost that is most certianly wrapped into the overall price tag made obvious. Also, is their any systematic, controlled data illustrating the strenght of such integrative modalities in the treatment of cancer patients? If not, then why are they being used?

[KelvinG]

I can see what you are saying.
There is a danger in trumpeting the benefits of many alternative medical practices without sufficient proof.
I agree that something like "healing touch" shouldn't be offered as a form of treatment without some sort of research into whether there are benefits to it medically.

But I approve of the idea of provide artistic and creative outlets for patients being treated. Creatint a sense of psychological well being is extremely important in treating an illness.

[BillyJoe]

Originally posted by KelvinG
I agree that something like "healing touch" shouldn't be offered as a form of treatment without some sort of research into whether there are benefits to it medically.
It has already been debunked. (http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/9804/01/therapeutic.touch/)

(Well, they say "cast doubt" but "debunked" seems right)

[KelvinG]

Originally posted by BillyJoe

It has already been debunked. (http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/9804/01/therapeutic.touch/)

(Well, they say "cast doubt" but "debunked" seems right)


Thanks. Interesting article.
But why do I get the feeling it will have little impact on those who practice healing touch, or the hospitals that support it.

[jasonmccoy]

Below is a series of email transactions I promised:


#1. My inquiry to Lorraine Perry (Nurse at NHRMC and founder of the "Healing Arts Program.")




Hello Lorraine Perry,


This correspondence represents an attempt to learn more about "alternative" forms of care in medical facilites across this great state. I am an instructor of psychology at Cape Fear Community College here in Wilmington, NC. I was told by several of my students that Hospice along with other programs associated with NHRMC uses multiple therapeutic practices in an effort to treat or otherwise augment a patient's quality of life. Could you elaborate on these approaches? Is healing touch currently being used? If so, is their a training program offered to the medical staff? Any information you can provide will be very helpful.


Sincerely,


Jason McCoy, M.S
Instructor of Psychology


#2. Lorraine's reply to me with info regarding how to contact the
"therapeutic touch" instructor.


Jason, nice to meet you !
The Healing Arts Network is a program of NHRMC, started 6 years ago on the Oncology unit and currently receives Physician generated referrals all over the hospital.
Our interventions are known as "Integrative modalities" rather than "Alternative", We practice within the scope of the medical model's Interdisciplinary Team approach.
I will mail you brochures that show the various discipline and programs that are part of the Healing Arts Network at NHRMC.
The person to contact about Therapeutic Touch classes is:


Gail Auten RN
Therapeutic Touch
(email, phone number and address were removed)


She is an RN instructor at South Eastern Community College, and certified to teach Therapeutic Touch.


I am going on a year's academic leave of absence , and will not be here to take any interns this academic year.
Thanks for your interest in the program.
Lorraine Perry
Founder of Healing Arts Net


#3. My email to Gail Auten. (RN instructor and "certified therapeutic touch instructor)


I recently spoke with Lorraine Perry of New Hanover Regional Medical
Center regarding their Integrated Modalities Program. She suggested
that I contact you as a point of reference for information regarding
"healing touch" therapy. I am an instructor of psychology at Cape Fear
Community College in Wilmington, NC. I am very interested in
"alternative approaches" to care and treatment. I understand you are an
RN with SECC and are also a "certified" instructor of Therapeutic Touch.
What type of training does the road to becoming such a professional
entail? Also, how much would classes cost if I were to want to become
licensed? Are there any prereqs required? ETC.?? Any information you
could provide me with would be greatly appreciated.


Sincerely,


Jason McCoy


#4. The reply from Ms. Auten (she is quick to point out the different levels of touch therapy)




There are differences in Healing Touch and Therapeutic Touch.
Therapeutic touch requires a beginner's course that is 12 hours in
length and I do teach those classes periodically when I have several
requests. Healing Touch has levels of certification and is an
"Umbrella" of several different modalities developed by others as well
as Janet Menken. I would be glad to meet and discuss this with you if
you would like. I am off on Fridays this semester or am available on
weekends. Glad to hear of your interest. I completed a MA degree in
Liberal Studies at UNCW last year, and conducted an experiment on TT
with nursing and psychology students as my final project. Let me know
if you would like to meet and when. Gail Auten