MARCH/APRIL 2000

Quebec’s health reform has created many problems. There is a lack of personnel. Beds are overloaded, staff are exhausted, emergencies are packed and patients are fed up. An incapacity to solve the problem coupled with an ageing population, have contributed to increase the percentage of persons who choose alternative medicine. Of course, this phenomena doesn’t please traditional medical practitioners. And this is the reason why, I think, consumers are bombarded with publicity against natural products such as: careful, the intake of certain products during pregnancy... consult your pharmacist etc. This fear based campaign increases consumers mistrust towards us: alternative medicine practitioners. It is now common, during consultations to be asked questions such as “Are there contraindications with your products?” “Do herbs have side effects?” or “Have the products been proven harmless?” And of course, we must be able to reassure our clientele to build and maintain confidence with them. That is the reason why, with the tools now available to us such as the monthly release of Contact, our web site, and mainly our annual Congress, we strive at offering you the best information possible. By increasing our knowledge, we can increase our credibility and facilitate our daily work. Hoping to see you at the congress Jacqueline B.Blouin