Alternative Healer

• Alternative medicine
• Physician practice patterns
• Knowledge, attitudes, practice

The sign on the front door reads: Practitioner of the Alternative, Healing Arts. I quickly took a seat in the waiting room. Rugs, curtains, and a fireplace in the corner warmed me. I recognized a few smiling faces (former patients?) as I picked up a magazine resting on an old mahogany table. After the receptionist called me to the window a few minutes later, a friendly nurse escorted me to an examination room.

The doctor introduced himself as a practitioner of alternative medicine. He was dressed comfortably and appeared in no hurry. After some polite banter about the weather and politics, he …