The fact that Americans spend $12 billion annually out of pocket on holistic therapies no doubt piqued attention of those in the White House. In 2000, the growing popularity of complementary and alternative therapies resulted in the formation of the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) (http://www.whccamp.hhs.gov/finalreport/html). The Commission's charge is to recommend how to maximize the potential benefits of complementary and alternative therapies to all individuals.

The phrase potential benefits is especially important since so little research documents the efficacy of holistic therapies. And the term medicine connotes the growing openness of traditional medical practitioners to a set of interventions once viewed with great skepticism. In fact, much of what was considered "alternative" to traditional medicine is now considered legitimate as standalone interventions for some conditions or as complements to traditional medical interventions.

The President appointed 20 commissioners representing varied health care interests and professional backgrounds including traditional and nontraditional practitioners. Their major recommendations include the

1. need for research to determine the efficacy of holistic therapies used alone or in combination with traditional therapies

2. effects of patient-practitioner relationships on therapeutic outcomes

3. individualization of treatments to address the uniqueness of individuals

4. modalities and practices that improve self-care and promote well-being in health and in sickness.

The first recommendation is crucial not only to legitimize CAM but also to protect the public. The White House Commission's work should result in more federal and private sector support for CAM research. The last 3 recommendations compellingly validate professional nursing's long-held views of the importance of caring relationships in producing positive health outcomes, of acknowledging the uniqueness of individuals and families, and of emphasizing self-care.

The report acknowledged existing evidence that therapies such as acupuncture, biofeedback, yoga, massage, and T'ai Chi, as well as certain nutritional and stress-reduction practices, could contribute to achieving the nation's health goals. Further, introducing healthy nutrition and exercise habits early in life could lead to healthier lifestyles, especially for vulnerable populations.

Exploring health interventions outside the mainstream will always be a human tendency. As health information becomes increasingly accessible, health professionals are challenged to consider a wider array of interventions. More that 70% of cancer patients, for example, use some form of self-initiated CAM. The White House Commission on CAM is a beacon for a new age in health care.