Cambridge IELTS Book 17 Writing Task 2 Test 4
Nowadays, a growing number of people with health problems are trying alternative medicines and treatments instead of visiting the usual doctor. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
Unwell individuals today are increasingly turning to remedies that diverge from mainstream medical advice. While I acknowledge that this shift could help ease the strain on traditional healthcare systems, I primarily see it as problematic due to the risks of misdiagnoses and the use of unproven therapies.
The primary concern with alternative medicine is the heightened risk of misdiagnosis. Patients may misinterpret their symptoms based on limited information found online or seek advice from unqualified practitioners who lack accountability. This differs significantly from medical doctors, who undergo extensive training and adhere to strict ethical standards to provide accurate diagnoses and proper treatment.
Additionally, many alternative treatments lack scientific validation. Mainstream medications undergo rigorous peer-reviewed research to ensure they are safe and effective. In contrast, alternative remedies are often intended for purposes other than treating illness, leading to potential side effects or reduced effectiveness. For instance, some non-medical advocates promoted Ivermectin for COVID-19 treatment, although it was initially developed to combat parasites in animals. The results were inconclusive, and its use led to serious side effects in some cases.
On the other hand, I recognize that alternative treatments could benefit the healthcare system by alleviating the demand for minor ailments. Doctors are frequently overburdened, and the cost and time required to train new medical professionals are substantial. If individuals with non-serious conditions sought reliable alternative therapies, this could help reduce the workload on healthcare providers and allow them to prioritize more critical cases.
In conclusion, I believe that while alternative treatments may ease the pressure on overworked medical professionals, their use is largely negative. The risks of incorrect self-diagnosis and reliance on unverified or inappropriate medications outweigh the potential benefits of reducing the burden on the healthcare system. (311)