I just found out that Meiji University of Oriental Medicine was renamed "Meiji University of Integrative Medicine". Their sister school in Berkeley, CA also changed its name to "Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College". Integrative medicine is not a patent word, so anyone can use it. However, the meaning is different to different people. Here are some definitions that have been worked out in the US.
This is a definitino of integrative medicine by UCSF Osher center for integrative medicine.
Integrative medicine is a new term that emphasizes the combination of both conventional and alternative approaches to address the biological, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of health and illness. It emphasizes respect for the human capacity for healing, the importance of the relationship between the practitioner and the patient, a collaborative approach to patient care among practitioners, and the practice of conventional, complementary, and alternative health care that is evidence-based.
Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine (CAHCIM)
"Integrative Medicine is the practice of medicine that reaffirms the importance of relationship between practitioner and patient, focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, healthcare professionals and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing."
I found a blog called "The Ingegrator Blog". A good one to follow.
http://theintegratorblog.com/site/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
Is there a difference between integrative medicine and holistic medicine?
ReplyDeleteI think that the term integrative is a good one, since it focuses not on the power of one or the other, but rather the integration of multiple approaches.
They are the same. The difference, I think, is that holistic medicine gives out a feel of new-age, post hippie style, where as integrative medicine bears a sound of authority.
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