📝 Task 2: A growing number of people are trying alternative medicines. Is this a positive or a negative development?
Is turning to alternative medicine a good thing? Rory breaks down how to argue both sides of this complex issue, using high-level vocabulary to impress the examiner and boost your score. Don't miss it!
Nowadays, a growing number of people with health problems are trying alternative medicines and treatments instead of visiting their usual doctor.
Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience
Write at least 250 words
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Introduction: It has been noted that increasing numbers of those in poor health are turning to alternative medical treatments rather than seeking support from their regular doctor. While such actions may seem unreasonable to those of a more traditional mindset, in many ways this is a positive development.
P1: In the first instance, many healthcare systems are currently overburdened with very long waiting times to see medical professionals. By switching to alternatives, potential patients are no longer becoming so and helping to alleviate the pressure on the healthcare infrastructure. Of course, this could increase issues if the alternative treatments make conditions worse or delay vital support. However, many homeopathic medicines can produce a psychosomatic or placebo effect which can address some conditions as effectively as standard medical treatment. While this raises certain ethical questions, the benefits to beleaguered health services are clear.
P2: Additionally, in countries with socialised medicine where public funding supports standard healthcare providers, a lower number of patients waiting for or receiving treatment should reduce the amount of money spent on this, leaving more available to fund those who use the service. Assuming alternative medical goods and services are taxed appropriately (for example through VAT), then the money which is spent on this could also be used to fund traditional services. Alternatively, the taxes from this could be used to monitor public health to ensure that any potential issues being obscured by the rise in alternative medicine use are noticed before they become serious.
Conclusion: To conclude, not only is the increasing uptake in alternative medicine addressing the issue of waiting times to see a medical professional, it can also save taxpayer money in countries with welfare states. Taking these points into consideration, overall this represents a positive trend assuming that measures are taken to address any majorly negative outcomes.