Overview of integrative therapies and healing practices

Growth in the use of integrative therapies has been stimulated by consumer interest in a more comprehensive, holistic approach to care that includes both conventional medical practices and complementary or integrative therapies. Increased utilization has also been fueled by the growing evidence base that has documented safety and efficacy for many of these unconventional practices. Increasingly, health professional students are exposed to integrative therapies within their curriculum and within clinical sites where they practice. Students, faculty teaching in health professional schools, and practitioners recognize the importance of educating students about integrative health and offering services that provide patients choice and the opportunity to integrate the best of conventional and CAM approaches. The policy issues surrounding integrative health/medicine are complex and include education and workforce development, care delivery, and economics and financing issues. For patients facing chronic health issues such as pulmonary disease and sleep disorders, integrative health approaches may offer improved symptom management and quality of life.