Integrative Medicine

Alternative therapies encompass ways of healing that exist outside of the conventional biomedical system. This includes herbs and botanicals, energy therapies, manipulation, movement, and practices that embrace concepts of the interaction between the mind, body, and behavior. Within the broad field of alternative medicine are formal and informal practices that range from ancient wisdoms and comprehensive medical systems to newly developed modalities and approaches.

Surveys consistently reveal that Americans use alternative therapies for self-care and to manage medical conditions. Sometimes this is in conjunction with conventional medical treatment (integrative medicine), as an accompaniment to conventional treatment (complementary medicine), or in place of conventional medical care (alternative medicine.) As conventional healthcare practitioners have embraced some alternative practices under the integrative paradigm, utilization of some forms of alternative medicine has become relatively main-stream.

Traditionally, integrative medicine was patient-sourced among individuals who initiated the use of alternative therapies on an informal basis during treatment for a conventional condition. Interest in a comprehensive approach to integrated conventional and alternative treatments has grown out of this interest as well as questions regarding the safety and efficacy of some alternative therapies. This recognition necessitates a convergence in education and knowledge between conventional medicine and alternative therapies.

Growing interest in integrative medicine among the conventional medical community recognizes that conventional healthcare practitioners must be knowledgeable about alternative therapies. This can mean that the conventional healthcare practitioner becomes trained in the practice of an alternative therapy. Integrative medicine may also take the form of interprovider education meaning that conventional healthcare practitioners possess strong, foundational knowledge about the array of alternative therapies that enables them to consult with patients concerning potential treatments.

In addition to patients and conventional healthcare providers, there are two other important groups in the integrative medicine paradigm: alternative therapy practitioners and healthcare administrators. Opportunities for interprovider education among alternative therapy practitioners includes information about other forms of alternative therapies as well as foundational understanding on approaches used in conventional medical care. In order for healthcare administrators to function in an integrative medicine setting, knowledge about conventional and alternative therapies is an important factor in medical practice oversight.

There are many possibilities for collaboration, education, and healing in the integrative medicine paradigm. Communication, sharing of information, and research are important considerations as this dynamic field expands. A few resources with more information on integrative medicine and alternative therapies, include:

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)

American Board of Holistic and Integrative Medicine (ABHIM)

Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAHCIM)