Integrative health care - Toward a common understanding: A mixed method study

Area of Science:

• Integrative Health Care research
• Health Services Definition Development
• Multidisciplinary Healthcare Models

Background:

• Integrative health care (IHC) lacks a universally accepted definition.
• This ambiguity hinders its clear identity and consistent application.
• Stakeholder consensus is crucial for defining complex healthcare models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To generate a multidisciplinary stakeholder-informed definition of integrative health care (IHC).
• To establish a clearer identity for IHC.
• To provide greater clarity for consumers, health providers, and policymakers.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-method study incorporating focus groups, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis.
• Phase 1: Purposive sampling of Australian health consumers and providers.
• Phases 2 & 3: Analysis of international IHC organization websites and bibliographic databases using thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• Data synthesized from 54 health consumers/providers, 23 IHC organization webpages, and 23 articles.
• Seven emergent themes guided the definition process.
• Consensus achieved on a single, 65-word definition of IHC.

Conclusions:

• An unambiguous definition of IHC is essential for its identity and clarity.
• The proposed definition is scientifically grounded and stakeholder-informed.
• This definition will benefit consumers, health providers, and policymakers.