Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Healthcare ….

Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Healthcare ….

Different Approaches to Healthcare: Complementary, Alternative, Integrative. What’s in a Name?

Western Medicine* – System in which medical doctors and other healthcare professional (nurses, pharmacists, therapist) treat symptoms and diseases using drugs, radiation or surgery. (*also referred to as allopathic, conventional, and mainstream) 

The U.S. National Centers for Integrative Health Care (NCCIH)  generally uses the term “complementary health approaches” when discussing practices and products of non-mainstream origin, and “integrative health” when talking about incorporating complementary approaches into mainstream health care.

Understanding Integrative Healthcare is vital for health practitioners in knowing more about what patients are seeking regarding their healthcare, self-care, and in knowing the evidence on safety and efficacy as the basis for guiding patients. This is the essence of the integrative healthcare practice and research model.

Natural Does Not Mean Safe. Talk to Your Physician. Patients are encouraged to report use of natural products and complementary therapies to their physicians and other healthcare providers to ensure safe, effective, collaborative care.

10 Most Common Complementary Health Approaches According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) –

NIH Top 10 IM 2012 NHISadultTop10_socialgraph

Finding a CAM provider: 

Sources and More Information:

Feel free to contact me with questions regarding  integrative healthcare and how to find a provider.

~ Wishing you the best in health,  Karen

Karen Pischke BSN, RN, CCRN Alumnus. Registered Nurse working in Integrative Healthcare as a Certified Hypnotherapist, Tobacco Treatment and Reiki Specialist since 1999. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness LLC. Your Bridge to Health. Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit www.DreamtimeWellness.com. Find us on Facebook

Disclaimer: This blog pro­vides gen­eral infor­ma­tion and dis­cus­sion about health and related sub­jects. The words and other con­tent pro­vided in this blog, and in any linked mate­ri­als, are not intended and should not be con­strued as med­ical advice. If the reader or any other per­son has a med­ical con­cern, he or she should con­sult with an appropriately licensed physi­cian or other health care worker. Never dis­re­gard pro­fes­sional med­ical advice or delay in seek­ing it because of some­thing you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a med­ical emer­gency, call your doc­tor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and web­site have no rela­tion to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other insti­tu­tion with which the authors are affiliated.

Evidence-based practice looking to collaborate on a research project

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind & Spirit

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind & Spirit

I have an opportunity for an ‘evidence-based’ research grant. I am looking for a Cape Ann healthcare facility or school to collaborate with on a pilot study. Please contact me if you have an interest in research.

What exactly does ‘evidence-based’ mean?  

According to the American Holistic Nurses Association, “evidence based practice (EBP) is the conscientious use of the best available evidence combine with the clinician’s expertise and judgment and the patient’s preferences and values to arrive at the best decision that leads to high-quality outcomes.”  (Dossey, B.; Keegan, L. (2013.) Holistic Nursing: A Handbook for Practice. 6th Edition. Burlington MA: Jones and Barrett Learning.)

Once known as the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM,) there has been a name change to reflect the current trend in healthcare to use a more ‘integrative’ approach to healthcare.

Established 16 years ago by the National Institutes of Health, the center funds research projects that provide important and even vital information on the safety and effectiveness of conventional, complementary, and alternative therapies, herbal (botanical) and supplement products that are widely used and readily available. (http://www.nccih.nih.gov.)

Integrative Healthcare – defined as a comprehensive and often interdisciplinary approach to treatment, prevention and health promotion. The use of an integrative approach to health and wellness has grown within care settings across the United States, including hospitals, hospices, and military health facilities.

The goal of an integrative approach in health care is to enhance overall health status, prevent disease, and relieve symptoms such as anxiety, pain, and chemotherapy-induced nausea.

“The mission of the National Center of Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) is to define, through rigorous scientific investigation, the usefulness and safety of complementary and alternative medicine interventions and their roles in improving health and health care.”

The Strategic Plan of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Healthcare​ is encouraging:

  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Partnerships
  • Expert practitioners in CAM disciplines and interventions
  • Biomedical and behavioral research scientists

Sources – https://nccih.nih.gov/sites/nccam.nih.gov/files/objective1.pdf and https://nccih.nih.gov/news/press/12172014

Feel free to contact me with questions. Comments are welcomed. Let me know if you have specific healthcare interests you would like to see addressed.  Wishing you a healthy and happy weekend.   ~ Karen Pischke B.S.N., R.N.

Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness LLC.  Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind & Spirit www.DreamtimeWellness.com. info@dreamtimewellness.com. Find us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dreamtime-Wellness-/348619611849199

 

Disclaimer: This blog pro­vides gen­eral infor­ma­tion and dis­cus­sion about health and related sub­jects. The words and other con­tent pro­vided in this blog, and in any linked mate­ri­als, are not intended and should not be con­strued as med­ical advice. If the reader or any other per­son has a med­ical con­cern, he or she should con­sult with an appropriately licensed physi­cian or other health care worker. Never dis­re­gard pro­fes­sional med­ical advice or delay in seek­ing it because of some­thing you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a med­ical emer­gency, call your doc­tor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and web­site have no rela­tion to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other insti­tu­tion with which the authors are affiliated.