Integrative medical doctors—Public health practitioner or lifestyle coach?

Holism in Osteopathy – Bridging the gap between concept and practice: A grounded theory study

“…The themes described provide information important to bridging the gap between concept and practice, linking involved components (holistically speaking) with the areas of the body most out of harmony and then relating these to the presenting symptom picture. The range of components included in each participants assessment process appeared to be limited or expanded by their by their individual definition, concept and interpretation of holism.DiscussionComponents, qualities and interpretations of holism varied depending on what each participant included within their individual framework of practice but were generally consistent with the literature(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Time however emerged indirectly as an additional component as participants discussed the relationship between past events and their impact on the presenting clinical situation.…”

“…Interviews of integrative medical doctors conducted by Willis and Rayner (7) and with nurses by Berg,Hedelin (20) found that these practitioners endeavoured to take a holistic view but felt somewhat constrained by the bio-medical framework of their practice. Treatment was primarily focused on managing involved components rather than treating the components in a deep interrelated way to regain inner health and well-being (7,20,21).…”

“…The relationship between the pathology and the symptom may be similar in many cases but the relationship between "what else" and the 'pathology/tissues causing symptoms' may vary considerably. All participants mentioned relationships as important in accordance the literature(3,7,(32)(33)(34).We would contend that this grounded theory study clarified for the first time exactly what the term "relationships" means in the context of both biomedical and holistic approaches and which each primarily emphasises. Bridging the gap between holistic concept and practice required an awareness (or mindfulness) of involved relationships whilst assessment and treatment was carried out.…”

“…There has been a steady growth in practitioner interest in holism and integrated medicine in recent years (1). Holism has been defined by various health professionals to include many of the following components, adding or omitting some components of the whole depending on specific viewpoints; Physical (including the terms mechanical, bio-mechanical, bio-chemical or biological), energetic (including terms such as vital force, vitality, bio-energy, prana or chi), psychological (emotional, mental), spiritual (includes soul) and social (including cultural and environmental) (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8).…”

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and the Public Health: an Innovative Healthcare Practice in Supporting and Sustaining Health and Well-Being

“…But as Lovell [44] argues, healthcare providers (including funders) may need to learn more about CAM. Alongside, it is useful to note the indings from Willis and Rayner [45] who report that integrative medical practitioners are tending to adopt a public health stance in their work, re-orienting their focus from cure to prevention, with an increased focus on lifestyle and other advice within the context of the individual's life-world. Finally, one can only speculate on what the potential beneits might be for patients, enhanced critical health literacy and the public's health, if CAM modalities were routinely available within health systems, in a context of integrative, collaborative care, rather than as an add-on pursued by individuals seeking an alternative approach or trying to cope with side-efects of treatments [46,47].…”