Assessing Patient Experiences in Integrative Medicine
Overview of Integrative Medicine
Practitioners at an integrative medicine primary care center, which merges conventional and complementary therapies, have conducted an assessment of their patients’ experiences. Integrative medicine is a holistic, prevention-oriented healthcare approach that highlights the significance of lifestyle in maintaining health. This method combines traditional medical treatments with complementary therapies to enhance patient care.
Focus on Patient Care
Health centers that specialize in integrative medicine aim to foster self-care, facilitate easy access to healthcare, and promote strong patient-practitioner relationships. The University of Arizona Integrative Health Center (UAIHC) serves as a primary care facility implementing this integrative approach. Recently, practitioners at UAIHC carried out a study to evaluate patient experiences and the center’s overall performance, with their findings published in **BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine**.
UAIHC Team Composition
The UAIHC team consists of two primary care physicians, a chiropractor, one to two acupuncturists, a behavioral health clinician, a dietitian, a health coach, and a nurse. All staff members have completed training in integrative medicine, ensuring a comprehensive approach to patient care. The center is funded through health insurance reimbursements and membership fees from patients or their employers.
Patient Assessment Process
Upon joining the practice, patients undergo a thorough health assessment that evaluates various aspects of their health and lifestyle, including diet, sleep, physical activity, stress levels, relationships, and spirituality. Each patient collaborates with their practitioner to create a Health Partnership Agreement, which emphasizes lifestyle changes and personal responsibility for health.
Collaborative Care Approach
UAIHC employs a team-based approach to care, empowering patients to make informed decisions regarding their care team composition. The center also offers a range of groups and classes focused on nutrition, stress reduction, optimal weight management, yoga, and tai chi.
Study Methodology and Findings
To evaluate the delivery of integrative medicine, UAIHC practitioners utilized self-administered patient questionnaires. During the study period, approximately 1,700 patients were enrolled at the center. Randomly selected patients were surveyed on ten randomly chosen days between September 2013 and February 2015. They completed a questionnaire comprising 45 items that addressed core elements of integrative medicine, including holistic care, health promotion, self-care, practitioner relationships, and overall satisfaction.
Eighty-three patients completed the surveys, revealing that they experienced holistic care and established positive, caring relationships with their practitioners. Patients reported a strong sense of self-care and well-being, along with high levels of overall satisfaction. Ongoing research at UAIHC continues to explore the impact of integrative medicine on patient health outcomes.
Conclusion
This study highlights the effectiveness of the integrative medicine model at UAIHC, demonstrating its commitment to patient-centered care and satisfaction.
Reference
Crocker RL, Grizzle AJ, Hurwitz JT, et al. Integrative medicine primary care: assessing the practice model through patients’ experiences. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2017) 17:490. doi: 10.1186/s12906-017-1996-5.