The use of complementary and alternative therapies has skyrocketed. Magazines, TV, bookstores and the Internet are now filled with information about herbal remedies, vitamins, dietary supplements, massage, relaxation techniques and more. One result: More and more people want medical care from a doctor who understands complementary and alternative medicine.

You may seek out such a doctor for a number of reasons. For example, you may:

• Want to explore complementary and alternative medicine under a doctor's guidance.
• Want care from a doctor who is open-minded about including complementary and alternative therapies in your care.
• Already be familiar with complementary and alternative medicine but want to discuss your options with a doctor trained in conventional medicine.
• Already be receiving care from a complementary and alternative medicine practitioner and want to discuss your therapy with a doctor.

Whatever your goals, you will benefit most from a doctor who neither condemns complementary and alternative medicine wholesale, nor blindly advocates it.

Finding a doctor who understands complementary and alternative medicine is becoming easier. In the past, medical schools ignored complementary and alternative medicine. Today, more medical students are at least introduced to the topic. In 2000, 82 medical schools taught complementary and alternative topics, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. In addition, many practicing doctors now study common alternative therapies.

If you can, search for a doctor before you need one. A few years ago, all you could do was ask neighbors, relatives, and friends for a recommendation. Now, you can use the Internet. For example, the Web site for the American Medical Association Free Physician Select Service has information about a doctor's location, gender, medical school, year of graduation, residency training, board certification, and specialty. Local, state, and specialty medical societies also can give you information about practitioners in your area. These societies usually can be found in the telephone book, in the business section or under social and human services. Keep in mind that, if you belong to a managed-care organization such as an HM0, your selection may be limited to participating doctors. The managed-care organization should provide a list of participating doctors to guide your search.

Here are factors to consider in selecting a doctor:

• Board certification—To help determine the quality of your doctor's training, find out whether he or she is board certified. Doctors who are board certified have met specific requirements for advanced training. If a doctor cares for adults, he or she may be board certified in internal medicine or family medicine. If the doctor cares for children, he or she may be certified in pediatrics or family medicine. You can get more information about board certification by clicking here.
• Hospital affiliation—Find out which hospital your doctor uses. How easy is it to get to that hospital in an emergency? Have you or anyone you know received care at that hospital? If so, how was that experience?
• Associated health professionals—Today, most doctors are part of a group or team practice. What other health professionals are on staff? Physician's assistants, nurse practitioners, midwives, nutritionists, and physical therapists may be part of the practice. Find out if any complementary and alternative practitioners, such as acupuncturists, or massage therapists, also belong to the group.

Once you have located a doctor, contact the staff at the doctor's office. Ask the staff about the type of practice, the doctor's hospital affiliation, and the doctor's attitude toward questions about complementary and alternative medicine. Inquire whether any alternative health practitioners are associated with the doctor's office.

Next, consider arranging an interview. Some doctors allow a 10- or 15-minute initial visit at no charge, but others don't. Instead, you may want to schedule a routine visit. During your visit, be open about how you plan to use any complementary and alternative therapies. Does the doctor's response give you the balanced advice you are seeking?

You may have to pay for a couple of appointments before you find the right doctor to help guide you through the maze of complementary and alternative therapies.