CAMLAW : Complementary And Alternative Medicine Law Blog

Reviews of Michael's Book, Future Medicine
"Cohen does for medicine what Kuhn did for science in The Structure of Scientific Revolutions." Rosemarie Tong, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor in Health Care Ethics at the Center for Professional and Applied Ethics, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

"M. Cohen is certainly the most thoughtful contributor to the CAM literature from the legal profession. His new book adds to his previous work and is a stimulating, informative text for anyone with a serious interest in this area." Edzard Ernst, M.D., Ph.D., F.R.C.P. (Edin.), Chair of the Department of Complementary Medicine at the University of Exeter

"With ingenuity and finesse, Michael H. Cohen demonstrates how the introduction of complementary and alternative medicine into healthcare is transforming not only the delivery of services for individuals, but also the web of personal and working relations for everyone involved in the processes of caring and healing. This is a beautifully written and inspiring book—a unique and enriching contribution that stands out for its coupling of erudition and sensitivity." Mary Ruggie, Ph.D., Professor of Public Policy with the Kennedy School of Government , Harvard University

"Michael Cohen is, simply put, a visionary. His courageous voice, formidable intelligence, and compassionate heart come together in Future Medicine, providing a breathtaking challenge to traditional medicine, law, and bioethics. I am convinced that Michael's work will change the face of medicine and health care law, leading us away from our comfortable illusion of knowledge and into a deeper, more expansive knowing." Karen E. Adams, M.D., Clinical Consultant at the Center for Ethics in Health Care, Oregon Health and Sciences University

"Courageous, insightful, innovative, and inspiring, Mr. Cohen goes where few dare tread, and where all are headed—toward a global perspective in medicine." Wayne B. Jonas, M.D., Director of the Samueli Institute, and Former Director, Office of Alternative Medicine, NIH

"Like a master class in yoga, Future Medicine challenges, inspires, and stretches the reader. Through gifted storytelling and rigorous, respectful exploration of multiple intellectual and religious disciplines, Cohen bridges the science and the soul of healing, transcends previous limitations, and embraces the mystery of the Spirit." Kathi J. Kemper, M.D., M.P.H., Caryl J. Guth Chair for Holistic and Integrative Medicine and Professor of Pediatrics at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine

"Cohen demonstrates in Future Medicine his expertise, passion, and courage... [and is] able to... pose provocative questions concerning the ethical and legal issues that will emerge..... Future Medicine makes ... valuable contributions to the integration of conventional and complementary medicine.... While Future Medicine poses far more questions than it answers ... it is nevertheless a bold if not brilliant step. I am grateful to Michael Cohen for his contribution." Health Affairs Full Health Affairs Review (.pdf)

"Cohen ... has composed an erudite but remarkably readable meditation on the "clinical, legal, ethical, and spiritual considerations" arising from the confluence of-some would say the conflict between-Western and Eastern, conventional and "alternative" models of wellness (spiritual as well as physical). His insights and case studies will be of interest to yoga practitioners and especially yoga teachers around the modern world." Yoga Journal

Reviews of Michael's Book,Beyond Complementary Medicine
"Once again, Michael H. Cohen admirably pushes the frontiers of law, medicine, ethics, and health care policy. In any engaging, insightful, and provocative analysis, he opens a door to the future of medicine, thus laying the foundation for a regulatory framework that supports human physical, as well as spiritual, health.” Kenneth R. Pelletier, Ph.D. Director, Stanford Corporate Health Program, and Clinical Professor of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine

“As complementary medicine becomes more and more popular, it is inevitable that some practices will be integrated into conventional health care. This process raises a host of legal and ethical issues…Michael Cohen¹s attempt to address this complex area is both laudable and authoritative, rendering this text essential reading for all health care professionals with a serious interest in complementary medicine.” Professor Edzard Ernst Department of Complementary Medicine, University of Exeter

"Michael H. Cohen continues to push the boundaries of our thinking on the legal ramifications of holistic healing. In Beyond Complementary Medicine, he challenges us to open to the new world of Global Medicine.” Wayne B. Jonas, M.D.

“Beyond Complementary Medicine is a fascinating glimpse into the future of health and human healing at the crossroads of changes in law, ethics, regulation, and policy. The book¹s highly creative ideas are effervescent in expression, and bring a deeper, broader, and more refined discussion to the field. Michael Cohen as an original thinker whose writing will shape thinking in medicine and medical ethics for years to come.” Karen Adams, M.D. Assistant Professor and Certified Medical Ethicist, Oregon Health Sciences University

“Beyond Complementary Medicine warrants hearty felicitations for presciently, and insightfully, addressing ethical, legal and regulatory issues.... Cohen is a trailblazing pionner toiling tirelssly on the frontier of law, bioethics and healthcare in America. His brilliantly-written book palpably reveals his passion for his important work.... This magnificent book is recommended heartily." Complementary Therapies in Medicine

Reviews of Michael's First Book, Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Legal Boundaries and Regulatory Perspectives
“Michael H. Cohen clarifies credentialing, malpractice liability, and other legal, regulatory, ethical, and policy issues surrounding the inclusion of complementary medicine into conventional health care delivery. The book is an authoritative and indispensable resource.” James N. Dillard, M.D., D.C., C.Ac. Assistant Clinical Professor, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Medical Director for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Oxford Health Plans

“I found the book absolutely fascinating and would like to congratulate you on such a compassionate and wonderfully inspired piece of writing. I am sure that it will be a great success and it makes a bold contribution to the frontiers on integrative medicine.” Caroline Hoffman, Deputy Editor Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery

“Snippets of the body of alternative medicine are skillfully dissected and probed by Cohen's legal scalpel in a manner that is informative and intellectually stimulating. For persons wishing…knowledge and understanding of the present legal environment for alternative medicine in the United States, this book is an excellent choice.” Journal of the American Medical Association. Full JAMA Review (.pdf)

“A provocative, pioneering, and timely contribution to the future of health and medical regulation…Future discussions by clinical and research professionals in health care law and policy will find this authoritative text to be indispensable.” Kenneth R. Pelletier, Stanford University School of Medicine

“This outstanding recommended resource-nearly one-third of the text is devoted to case law and references belongs on the library shelf of anyone thinking about or involved in health care.” Rena J. Gordon, University of Arizona

“This is a concise, authoritative synthesis of biomedicine, alternative medicine, and the regulatory environment. It succeeds admirably in giving the reader a broad view of biomedicine and holistic healing and in outlining the growth, evolution, and eventual dominance of biomedicine to the present…” Annals of Internal Medicine

“Written from a legal perspective, this volume examines complementary and alternative medicine within the contexts of state regulation, scope of practice, malpractice, professional discipline, third-party reimbursement, and evolution of legal authority… Michael H. Cohen has written a comprehensive and well-researched volume that makes an important and unique contribution to our understanding of complementary and alternative medicine.” Journal of Community Health

“Cohen…eloquently describes the interlocking levels of control state and federal governments exercise over the art of medicine. The work is illustrated by case examples that bring alive the current status of such controls and highlight the dilemmas both faced and posed by our legal system.” The Journal of Legal Medicine

Reviews of Michael's Novel, A Question of Time
"An enjoyable and well-written tale of hypnotic adventures that combines good story-telling, memorable characters, and clever clinical pearls. The book is ideal for the hypnotically-oriented clinician and the psychologically-minded layperson." Eric Leskowitz, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School

"I appreciate Michael H. Cohen's contribution to the literature on shamanism, relaxation, and guided imagery through his novel. Gabriel's journey through hypnosis - the dual path of relaxation and creativity-may be an invitation for all of us to awaken to the power of our own imagination, of our own ability to consciously dream." Hilary Tindle, M.D., Research Fellow, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

"This is an intriguing introduction to Ericksonian hypnosis, revealed through a rich and reflective narrative. You may be surprised at how easily you are able to learn valuable, new information while being pleasantly entertained in a relaxing and comfortable way." Kathi J. Kemper, M.D.

"Literate and intelligent…written with consummate skill … exceptionally good, with skillful, realistic dialogue and a certain comfortable flow that is able to contain complex ideas... A Question of Time is a book that I recommend to all therapists, and to all who are interested in what the human mind is, and what it might become…. Michael Cohen has produced a truly marvelous piece of writing that succeeds because … it has color and humanity." Alexander M. Docker, DCH, Ph.D., President of The American Board of Hypnotherapy, and Dean of Academic Studies, American Pacific University

Review of Michael's Book, Creative Writing for Lawyers
"Cohen writes with style, clarity, and wit....He sticks to essentials ... and, in the end, inspires." Daniel J. Korstein, JD. Download this review.

I thank each person who contributed a review. Many of these individuals are leaders and pioneers in their fields, and their positive response is very much appreciated.