What is TCAM ? By Michael Basso, Jr, Ph.D, MBA

TCAM is an acronym for Total Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The
TCAM concept, much like the TQM model is a construct which can be applied in
total, or most likely in part, to any CAM initiative, system, center or
system of centers or consortia.

The premise of TCAM is that of creating a whole environment, which
facilitates both prevention, and healing.

The TCAM educational [TCAME] model is an enterprise-wide holistic one, which
is based upon a bio/psycho/social/spiritual/technological paradigm. Humans,
as composite beings, are affected not only by conventional and traditional
healing systems. Living and working spaces, nutrition, stress management,
exercise and even light , music, sound and art affect our sense of well
being.

TCAME in its entirety is focused on a University Health Center, with the
primary concentration on CAM oriented physician, nursing and PA education,
retraining and continuing education. A special emphasis is on designing an
integrative medical curricula. Building upon that first step, a full
implementation of TCAME would include interdisciplinary physician education.
This structure would include a common pre-clinical curriculum for
integrative MD, DO, DC and ND students. PsyD students would also take
several preclinical courses including, Neuroanatomy, Biochemistry and
Physiology.

Building further upon this integrative model, several interdisciplinary
program could be introduced, such as , but not limited to MD / ND, DO / OMD
and DC / PsyD programs. A flexible, modular curriculum could replace forth
year electives with concentrations in a second core area, leading to dual or
even the possibility of multiple degrees. CAM oriented Nursing and PA
programs would be also introduced.

Integrative Dpharm, Applied Nutrition ScD and Human Energy Biophysics ScD
programs could fill the niche between conventional research oriented Ph.D.
programs and CAM healthcare specialists.

The larger TCAM system would include broad-based educational initiatives
associated with CAM oriented Architectural / Civil engineering programs, Art
and Music. To manage the implementation and maintenance of such broad based
programs, a CAM oriented MS / EMBA program could be developed; while a CAM
oriented EdD could add much to research, curriculum development and
continuous growth of the TCAM system. CAM oriented healthcare quality
initiatives would assure continuous improvement and alignment with evidence
based medicine constructs, while Spirituality in Health initiatives would
add diversity education constructs to TCAM. CAM oriented JD programs are also envisioned.