Bernie Garrett - Alternative Medicine Regulation in BC

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: IS THE REGULATION OF ALTERNATIVE PRACTITIONERS IN BC EFFECTIVE? In contemporary healthcare consumers are constantly assailed with health advertising and claims from various healthcare providers. Additionally, the alternative healthcare sector and has grown significantly over the past two decades prompting research into the possible motivators and factors associated with its uptake. With a number of high profile cases in the media recently, there is now growing concern that the regulation of alternative healthcare providers in BC is problematic. This session will explore some of the issues that exist with our current regulatory framework, and the risks to public health this poses. Dr Bernie Garrett is an Associate Professor at the UBC School of Nursing. Dr Garrett’s current work is focused in two main camps. 1) Nursing science, philosophy, and the use of deceptive and non-evidence based practices in contemporary healthcare (including alternative medicine). 2) The use of virtual and augmented reality in clinical applications. Prior to this he worked in the field of information technology particularly in the use of educational technology, simulation, e-portfolios, virtual and augmented reality at UBC. His work is underpinned by a passion for the philosophy of science and evidence-based practice.