Sharf BF, Geist Martin P, Cosgriff-Hernández KK, Moore J. Trailblazing healthcare: institutionalizing and integrating complementary medicine.
PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2012;
89:434-438. [PMID:
22472198 DOI:
10.1016/j.pec.2012.03.006]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2011] [Revised: 02/27/2012] [Accepted: 03/02/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
This study examines three integrative health centers to understand their (1) historical development, organizational goals, and modalities, (2) the processes and challenges of integrating complementary and allopathic medicine, while encouraging staff collaboration, and (3) how each center becomes institutionalized within their community.
METHODS
We focus on three organizational case studies that reflect varying forms of integrative health care practices in three U.S. cities. Participant-observation and in-depth interviews with center directors were analyzed qualitatively.
RESULTS
Important patterns found within the three cases are (1) the critical role of visionary biomedical practitioners who bridge complementary and allopathic practices, (2) communicating integration internally through team interaction, and (3) communicating integration externally through spatial location, naming, and community outreach.
CONCLUSION
IM centers continue to blaze new trails toward mainstream access and acceptance by gathering evidence for IM, encouraging team collaboration within organizational contexts, constructing organizational identity, and negotiating insurance reimbursements.
PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS
IM is not the enactment of specific modalities, but rather a philosophy of healing. Though scheduling conflicts, skepticism, and insurance coverage may be obstacles toward IM, collaboration among specialists and with patients should be the ultimate goal.
Collapse