A model for implementing integrative practice in health care agencies

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Integrative Health
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Growing global use of complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) outpaces healthcare infrastructure.
• Integrative medicine combines mainstream medical therapies with CAM.
• Implementing integrative care necessitates a structured approach to healthcare resources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a resource model for supporting an integrative healthcare practice.
• To identify key domains for necessary health care agency resources.

Main Methods:

• A logic model was employed to illustrate findings from a review of current evidence.
• The logic model visually represents the relationship between program goals, resources, activities, outputs, and outcomes.

Main Results:

• Four critical resource categories for integrative care implementation were identified: professional and research development, health human resource planning, regulation and legislation, and practice and management in clinical areas.
• These resources are essential for establishing and sustaining integrative healthcare models.

Conclusions:

• Successful implementation of integrative care, supported by these resource categories, should foster greater patient choice in healthcare.
• It is expected to lead to a more culturally sensitive healthcare system.
• Ultimately, this approach aims to broaden the spectrum of services available for achieving public health goals.