Divining Integrative Medicine

Cost Analysis of Integrative Inpatient Treatment Based on DRG Data: The Example of Anthroposophic Medicine

“…Integrative medicine according the US National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine “combines treatments from conventional medicine and complementary medicine (CAM) for which there is some high-quality evidence of safety and effectiveness” [1]. One of the approaches which fits this definition is anthroposophic medicine (AM) established in the 1920s by Rudolf Steiner and Ita Wegman along with some other doctors [2].…”

Contextualizing Integration: A Critical Social Science Approach to Integrative Health Care

“…1,2 Within this movement toward a greater incorporation of modalities outside the "mainstream," there has been a reexamination of the language surrounding health practices (alternative vs orthodox) and the creation of new terms to articulate a more balanced or rounded form of health care practice. [3][4][5] The idea of IHC has not been unproblematic in terms of either its definition or actualization. Numerous conceptual models have been developed within and around the notion of IHC, and there are debates over what integrative care is and on the nature of the service transformation that is occurring.…”

Health Care Transitions: A Review of Integrated, Integrative, and Integration Concepts

“…However, taking one modality from a more complex set of practice procedures may not necessarily be effective. 16 As well, because no single entity currently controls what is considered IM or regulates IM, 30 the results might possibly become a mishmash of therapies, not consistent from one IM medical doctor to another. It will be interesting to see how the medical profession resolves this problem.…”