American College for Advancement in Medicine
Encyclopedia
The American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) is a membership-based association of alternative medicine
physicians based in Irvine, California
. ACAM is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education
(ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. In addition to providing medical education, ACAM operates a referral network of physicians who provide integrative medicine therapies.
(AAEM).
, the efficacy, safety, and much of the theory behind which is disputed by the medical community. In 1998, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission
(FTC) charged that the web site of the ACAM and a brochure they published had made false or unsubstantiated claims about the therapy. In December 1998, the FTC announced that it had secured a consent agreement barring ACAM from making unsubstantiated advertising claims that chelation therapy is effective against atherosclerosis or any other disease of the circulatory system.
Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine is any healing practice, "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine." It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence....
physicians based in Irvine, California
Irvine, California
Irvine is a suburban incorporated city in Orange County, California, United States. It is a planned city, mainly developed by the Irvine Company since the 1960s. Formally incorporated on December 28, 1971, the city has a population of 212,375 as of the 2010 census. However, the California...
. ACAM is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education
The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education sets and enforces standards in physician continuing education within the United States...
(ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. In addition to providing medical education, ACAM operates a referral network of physicians who provide integrative medicine therapies.
Education format
ACAM's educational format includes instruction in current standard of care, as well as alternative treatment options. ACAM is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. In 2010, ACAM developed an iPhone / iPad application for integrative physicians.Integrative Medical Consortium
ACAM is a member of a collaborative group of integrative medicine organizations that meet to further advance the industry through collaboration, collective dialogue and critical thinking. Other members include the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), The International College of Integrative Medicine (ICIM), and the American Academy of Environmental MedicineAmerican Academy of Environmental Medicine
The American Academy of Environmental Medicine , founded in 1965 as the Society for Clinical Ecology, is an international association of physicians and associated professionals interested in the clinical aspects of ecological or environmental illnesses. The Academy aims for recognition of ecologic...
(AAEM).
Support for Chelation Therapy
ACAM has long been a vocal proponent for Chelation TherapyChelation therapy
Chelation therapy is the administration of chelating agents to remove heavy metals from the body. For the most common forms of heavy metal intoxication—those involving lead, arsenic or mercury—the standard of care in the United States dictates the use of dimercaptosuccinic acid...
, the efficacy, safety, and much of the theory behind which is disputed by the medical community. In 1998, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission
Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act...
(FTC) charged that the web site of the ACAM and a brochure they published had made false or unsubstantiated claims about the therapy. In December 1998, the FTC announced that it had secured a consent agreement barring ACAM from making unsubstantiated advertising claims that chelation therapy is effective against atherosclerosis or any other disease of the circulatory system.