Objective: From a patient-centered perspective, this study sought to explore cancer patient experiences using integrative health techniques, while undergoing or after having completed conventional cancer therapy. Methods: Recruitment and data collection both occurred within the Supportive Care Medicine Department of a comprehensive cancer center in the southeastern United States. The primary collection method was semi-structured interviews, of which 13 were conducted. Results: Patients using integrative therapies experienced a variety of physical and mental/emotional benefits from their chosen therapy, such as management of lymphedema and nerve damage, increased mobility, and improved self-confidence. Conclusion: Integrative therapies can provide many benefits to patients in mitigating treatment side effects and other cancer related symptoms. CAM practitioners themselves played an important role in post-treatment cancer support; both by acting as a health educator and by administrating the therapy itself.

<p>Alongside the complementary and alternative medicine movements, a new concept is emerging: integrative medicine. Though more and more authors have begun to use this term, they use it to refer to widely varying concepts of health care. This study begins with a theoretical look at integration and continues with an examination of current integrative efforts. These general discussions are followed by the presentation of the situation in Sweden, and at the Vidarklinik in particular. Finally the study turns to an empirical study investigating the communication between the Vidarklinik and the outside biomedical system. The research suggests a much more comprehensive picture of integrative medicine than those put forward by most authors and finds that to create and maintain an integrative system, all the levels of health care must be actively engaged in the system and the entire spectrum of care must be coordinated for the patient. Attempts at integration are found in diverse local efforts, which are all limited by lack of cooperation between different levels of health care. The study of communication at the Vidarklinik in Sweden illustrates that communication is crucial between all levels of health care in order for even relatively localised efforts in integration, and further that various factors limit whom various individuals and groups can communicate with, while in-person dialogue mitigates some of these factors.</p>

As the practice of integrative medicine becomes more common, it is important for library science professionals to understand the research needs of integrative medicine professionals in order to best provide resources and services to this population. This paper surveys integrative medicine professionals affiliated with the four North Carolina academic programs and centers for integrative medicine. The results of this study indicate that this population may need more targeted library services due to the difficulty in finding information in this field.

Historiskt har den medicinska professionen sökt exklusiva rättigheter att praktisera i en miljö där många olika yrkesgrupper fanns. I Sverige har detta lett till att komplementär och alternativ medicin (CAM) hamnade utanför den etablerade sjukvården, vilket inneburit en bristfällig kunskap om hur bl.a. CAM terapeuter arbetar. Användning av alternativ medicin har ökat i Sverige vilket motiverar att studier genomförs för att få bättre kunskap om yrkets utövande. Syftet med uppsatsen är att beskriva CAM terapeuters praktikmönster och inställning till samarbete med traditionell skolmedicin. Utifrån en litteraturstudie utarbetades en enkät som skickades till 102 CAM terapeuter i Sverige för att undersöka deras praktikmönster och sociodemografiska egenskaper. 63 terapeuter (62 %) svarade, varav 59 uppfyllde forskningskriterierna och kunde delta i de fördjupande telefonintervjuer som följde efter enkätstudien och som syftade till att ta reda på deras syn på samarbete med den skolmedicinska sjukvården. Resultaten av undersökningen visade att 55 %, av de 59 intervjuade var kvinnor, 10 % hade legitimation i andra sjukvårdsyrken, 69 % arbetade ensamma med i snitt 24 patienter i veckan. 79 % var positiva till samarbete med skolmedicinen och 37 % hade redan regelbunden kontakt med läkare. Intervjuerna visade att CAM terapeuter generellt ansåg att det var viktigast att patienters behov och önskemål beaktades i utformningen av den vård som erbjöds. Patienternas kostnad för behandling, respekt för CAM terapeuter, legitimation, konkurrens, samarbete med och kunskap om de olika yrken var andra viktiga faktorer som belystes ur olika perspektiv. Studien ger ny kunskap om CAM i Sverige och avslöjar många hinder som gör samarbete mellan skolmedicin och CAM till en utmaning för CAM terapeuter. Resultaten från denna studie kan hjälpa till att utveckla en sjukvård som omfattar olika utövare av läkekonsten / This study aims to describe the practice patterns of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners and their collaboration with traditional medical professionals in Sweden. Historically, the medical profession has dominated medical practice in an environment of different healing professions. This domination placed CAM professionals outside the established medical system. Consequently, information about CAM is inadequate. Since today’s patients increasingly seek consultations with CAM practitioners, the need for a better understanding of these professions has grown.       To investigate the practice patterns and sociodemographic characteristics of CAM practitioners, we developed a literature-based questionnaire and sent it to 102 CAM practitioners. Among the 63 practitioners (62%) who replied, only 59 matched our research criteria for participating in further telephone interviews that allowed them to state their opinions on collaborating with conventional medical professionals.       Fifty-five percent of the telephone interviewees were women, 10% were licensed in other medical professions, and 69% worked in solo practices, seeing 24 patients per week on average. Furthermore, 79% felt collaboration would be positive, and 37% had already established regular contacts with medical doctors. CAM practitioners generally considered patients’ needs and desires to be an essential component of healthcare provision. They also elucidated the importance of treatment costs, respect for CAM professionals, licensing, competition, collaboration, and knowledge of a variety of professions.  This study provides new information about the challenges faced by CAM profession in Sweden and reveals many obstacles to collaboration. Our results can assist in the development of a health care system that includes a variety of different professions. / <p>ISBN 978-91-85721-79-5</p>

<p>The present healthcare system in South Africa suffers from a number of serious deficiencies. Whilst orthodox bio-medicine is well established in most first world countries, its total introduction and implementation into all communities within South Africa faces many obstacles. The cost of diagnostic techniques, investigative procedures and pharmaceutical products, the availability of competent medical staff in the non-urban areas, and the lack of acceptance of the philosophy and practice of orthodox bio-medicine in rural regions are but some of the factors which conspire against the general application of this orthodox medical paradigm.<br /> <br /> Another problem confronting healthcare and medical practice in South Africa, particularly at this stage of our historical development, is the absolute focus on orthodox bio-medicine, often to the detriment of other medical paradigms that also have advantages to offer. Can the integration of another medical paradigm, such as Unani-Tibb, enhance the practice of orthodox bio-medicine in this country?<br /> <br /> The aim of the thesis was to investigate the possibility of integrating Unani-Tibb with orthodox biomedicine (also termed conventional, Western or allopathic medicine) and assess its potential for improving delivery of an effective, affordable and appropriate healthcare system in South Africa.<br /> <br /> The research questions which the thesis seeks to answer is whether this integration is possible and whether the delivery of healthcare to the South African population can be enhanced. Changes in the provision of medical education are necessary, and occupy a pivotal role in allowing for this integration. Unani-Tibb is a traditional medical system practiced extensively on the Indian sub-continent and in other parts of the world. At present, however, it is minimally practiced in South Africa. Its primary principle is the energetic promotion of health maintenance behaviour and the prevention of disease, through effective application of dietotherapy, pharmacotherapy and other interventions, as well as the empowerment of the patient towards adopting behavioural changes and lifestyle adaptations. One positive aspect of Unani-Tibb is that it has many features in common with both orthodox biomedicine and African Traditional medicine. These commonalities should allow for greater acceptance by orthodox healthcare professionals, as well as the general population. The first part of the study involved the research and conceptualisation required for the production of a series of customized training modules which introduced the theory and practice of Unani-Tibb. A twelve month part-time training programme based on these modules was subsequently conducted with a number of healthcare professionals presently in active practice and with a background of orthodox medical or nursing healthcare. This outcomes-based training programme included a number of specifically designed training activities, such as case studies, practical exercises and assignments. Appropriate evaluations and assessments were pursued in order to measure performance outcomes and attitudes. Questionnaires for assessing the motivation and satisfaction of the participants were also completed. The second part of the study was in the form of a pilot participant research project, in which the participants applied the information from the integrative programme to a number of chronically ill patients who had previously been treated with standard orthodox bio-medical procedures. The parameters derived for clinical efficacy, cost-benefit and improvement in Quality of Life from Unani-Tibb treatment were then compared to equivalent results obtained by orthodox bio-medicine. In all parameters inspected, the integrative training programme compared favourably to orthodox bio-medical practice. Not only was there an improved clinical efficacy, but the cost-benefit was shown to be superior in most indices measured. The Quality of Life comparison, which assessed the patient&rsquo / s total health status, subjective behaviour and attitude, generally favoured the integrative training programme. The thesis serves to suggest that the integration of Unani-Tibb into orthodox bio-medical training in South Africa is a distinct possibility, and could ultimately allow for treatment which is clinically acceptable, cost-effective and which provides an improved Quality of Life for the population as a whole. I suggest that this pilot study be repeated more extensively, thereby allowing for a more confident and objective assessment.</p>

Introdução: As práticas integrativas e complementares em saúde (PIC), entre as quais se inclui a acupuntura, vêm ganhando espaço nas últimas décadas no serviço público no Brasil. Em 2006 foi aprovada a lei que regulamenta a Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (PNPIC), proporcionando maior impulso para essas práticas no SUS. Alinhada com essa política, a Unidade de Medicinas Tradicionais (UMT), no município de São Paulo, vem oferecendo desde 2005 atendimento com as PIC de maneira ampla e contínua. Entre os pacientes atendidos na UMT, há uma parcela de pacientes HIV positivos, cujo perfil é desconhecido. Objetivo: Descrever o perfil dos pacientes atendidos na Unidade de Medicinas Tradicionais e, em particular, dos pacientes HIV positivos, caracterizando: origem do encaminhamento, queixas, expectativas em relação ao tratamento e aspectos que mais influenciam negativamente a qualidade de vida desses pacientes. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal descritivo, analisando-se todos os prontuários dos pacientes atendidos na UMT entre 2006 e 2009. Os pacientes HIV positivos foram identificados e contatados para entrevista, para que informações detalhadas fossem obtidas. Foram usados um questionário de qualidade de vida específico para pacientes HIV positivos (HIV/AIDS-Targeted Quality of Life Instrument HAT-QoL) e um questionário desenvolvido pelo pesquisador. Resultados Foram incluídos 1960 pacientes, dos quais 81 por cento eram mulheres; 68,3 por cento acima dos 50 anos; e 74,1 por cento com demanda espontânea. As queixas principais foram dor (66 por cento ) e queixas mentais (26 por cento ), com duração mediana de 24 meses. Foram identificados 57 pacientes soropositivos, dos quais 71,9 por cento eram do sexo masculino. As queixas principais também foram dor (22 por cento ) e queixas mentais (21,3 por cento ), sendo 72,1 por cento com demanda espontânea. Entre as expectativas, estavam: alívio das queixas, melhora da qualidade de vida, bem-estar e melhora da imunidade. Na avaliação das dimensões de qualidade de vida, as mais afetadas foram função sexual e preocupação em revelar a doença. Conclusões: A população atendida na UMT é predominantemente feminina, acima dos 50 anos, com queixas álgicas, de longa duração e com demanda espontânea. Os pacientes HIV positivos são predominantemente masculinos. A principal queixa foi dor. Em sua maioria, procuraram atendimento em acupuntura de maneira espontânea. Esperavam, com o tratamento, o alívio das queixas, bem-estar, melhorar qualidade de vida e imunidade / Introduction: Integrative and Complementary Health Practices, among them acupuncture, have been gaining space in the last decades in the Brazilian Heath Pub lic System (SUS). In 2006, a law regulating the Integrative and Complementary Health Practices National Policy was passed, which boosted the implementation of such practices in the Health Public System. Aligned to that policy, the Tradition al Medicine Unit (UMT) in the city of São Paulo has been broadly and continually providing treatment based on Integrative and Complementary Health Practices since 2005. Among the patients treated at that unit, there are HIV-positive patients, whose profile is unknown so far. Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the profile of the patients treated at the UMT, particularly those who are HIV positive. The origin of the patients seen in the unit, their complaints, expectations regarding the treatment, and the aspects that might negatively influence their quality of life were described. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study by analyzing all medical charts from the patients treated at the Traditional Medicine Unit, from 2006 to 2009. The HIV-positive patients were identified and interviewed to obtain detailed information. The HIV/AIDS-Targeted Quality of Life Instrument HAT-QoL and a questionnaire prepared by the researcher were used. Results: The study included 1,960 patients, of which 81 per cent were women, 68.3 per cent were over 50 years of age, and 74.1 per cent arrived at the unit spontaneously. The main complaints were pain (66 per cent ) and mental disorders (26 per cent ), with average duration of 24 months. Fifty-seven HIV-positive patients were identified, of which 71.9 per cent were men; the main complaints were also pain (22 per cent ) and mental disorders (21.3 per cent ); 72.1 per cent arrived at the unit spontaneously. Among their expectations were: relief from complaints, improvement of their quality of life, well-being, and immunity. When the quality-of-life dimensions were evaluated, the sexual function and the concern about revealing the disease were the most affected ones. Conclusions: The population treated by the UMT is composed mostly by women, patients over 50 years of age, with long-term pain-related complaints, originating from spontaneous demand. The HIV-positive patients are mostly men whose prevailing complaint is pain. They have mostly sought acupuncture treatment spontaneously. They were expecting relief from complaints, and well-being, quality of life, and immunity improvement

Thesis (PhD (Education))--University of the Western Cape, 2004. / The present healthcare system in South Africa suffers from a number of serious deficiencies. Whilst orthodox bio-medicine is well established in most first world countries, its total introduction and implementation into all communities within South Africa faces many obstacles. The cost of diagnostic techniques, investigative procedures and pharmaceutical products, the availability of competent medical staff in the non-urban areas, and the lack of acceptance of the philosophy and practice of orthodox bio-medicine in rural regions are but some of the factors which conspire against the general application of this orthodox medical paradigm. Another problem confronting health care and medical practice in South Africa, particularly at this stage of our historical development, is the absolute focus on orthodox bio-medicine, often to the detriment of other medical paradigms that also have advantages to offer. Can the integration of another medical paradigm, such as Unani- Tibb, enhance the practice of orthodox bio-medicine in this country? The aim of the thesis was to investigate the possibility of integrating Unani- Tibb with orthodox biomedicine (also termed conventional, Western or allopathic medicine) and assess its potential for improving delivery of an effective, affordable and appropriate healthcare system in South Africa. The research questions which the thesis seeks to answer is whether this integration is possible and whether the delivery of healthcare to the South African population can be enhanced. Changes in the provision of medical education are necessary, and occupy a pivotal role in allowing for this integration. Unani-Tibb is a traditional medical system practiced extensively on the Indian sub-continent and in other parts of the world. At present, however, it is minimally practiced in South Africa. Its primary principle is the energetic promotion of health maintenance behaviour and the prevention of disease, through effective application of dietotherapy, pharmacotherapy and other interventions, as well as the empowerment of the patient towards adopting behavioural changes and lifestyle adaptations. One positive aspect of Unani- Tibb is that it has many features in common with both orthodox biomedicine and African Traditional medicine. These commonalities should allow for greater acceptance by orthodox healthcare professionals, as well as the general population.

Alongside the complementary and alternative medicine movements, a new concept is emerging: integrative medicine. Though more and more authors have begun to use this term, they use it to refer to widely varying concepts of health care. This study begins with a theoretical look at integration and continues with an examination of current integrative efforts. These general discussions are followed by the presentation of the situation in Sweden, and at the Vidarklinik in particular. Finally the study turns to an empirical study investigating the communication between the Vidarklinik and the outside biomedical system. The research suggests a much more comprehensive picture of integrative medicine than those put forward by most authors and finds that to create and maintain an integrative system, all the levels of health care must be actively engaged in the system and the entire spectrum of care must be coordinated for the patient. Attempts at integration are found in diverse local efforts, which are all limited by lack of cooperation between different levels of health care. The study of communication at the Vidarklinik in Sweden illustrates that communication is crucial between all levels of health care in order for even relatively localised efforts in integration, and further that various factors limit whom various individuals and groups can communicate with, while in-person dialogue mitigates some of these factors.

Diabetes é um problema de saúde pública. Métodos que identifiquem precocemente a predisposição para a doença devem ser investigados. Iridologistas afirmam que o Sinal do Pâncreas e a Cruz de Andréas sugerem predisposição para diabetes. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram verificar a prevalência destes sinais em indivíduos com e sem a doença bem como sua herdabilidade. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre fevereiro de 2010 e junho de 2011. Participaram 356 indivíduos com idade superior a 30 anos. Indivíduos com diabetes apresentaram maior prevalência dos sinais iridológicos estudados. Os testes t de Student apontam diferença estatisticamente significativa na prevalência desses sinais entre pacientes com e sem diabetes e entre indivíduos com e sem antecedentes familiares para a doença. O Chi Quadrado demonstra que ter ambos os sinais aumenta a chance de desenvolvê-la. O coeficiente de correlação de Pearson aponta que os sinais estudados têm correlação com antecedência familiar para diabetes e com a taxa de glicemia alterada. Concluímos que estes sinais sugerem predisposição para Diabetes e que novos estudos são necessários para avaliar a herdabilidade. / The method to identify early the predisposition for Diabetes mellitus should be investigated, since the disease is a public health problem. Scholars of iridology claim that the Sign of Pancreas and the Cross of Andreas suggest predisposition to diabetes. Our objectives were to determine the prevalence of these signals in subjects with and without the disease and its heritability. Data collection occurred between February 2010 and June 2011. Participants 356 individuals older than 30 years treated at the Health Center School. Individuals with diabetes had a higher prevalence of signs studied iridology. The Student t test showed statistically significant differences in the prevalence of these signs between patients with and without diabetes and among individuals with and without family history of the disease. The Chi Square demonstrates that having both signals increase the chance of developing diabetes. The Pearson correlation coefficient shows a correlation between the signals studied with a family history of diabetes and the blood glucose alteration. We conclude that these signs suggest a predisposition to diabetes and that further studies are needed to assess the heritability.

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree in Masters of Technology in Nursing, Durban University of Technology, 2012. / Background : The current alarming growth of diseases and complications, especially in Africa, makes the integration of traditional and conventional health practices a priority in medical training, research and planning, and the funding of health services. Unplanned and/or unintended treatment non-compliance and unnecessary deaths from diseases like tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus are escalating in spite of health information and/or education, support groups and awareness events. The World Health Organisation recommends Directly Observed Treatment Strategy for illnesses like tuberculosis, and suggests the inclusion of traditional health practitioners in the strategy because they are constantly in contact with the community and could therefore be utilized as reminders, support system, doctors and care givers. Therefore it is a high priority that traditional health practitioners be integrated into partnership with conventional medicine practitioners, as they are considered the entry point to primary health care programmes in South Africa. Aim of the study The aim of this study was to explore the nature of the partnership between the African traditional and conventional health care in the eThekwini District. Methodolody : A qualitative, multiple case study design was used to explore the partnership between African traditional and conventional health care within the South African health care system in the eThekwini district of KwaZulu-Natal Province. In attempting to explore and understand the extent to which both these health care systems work together, a qualitative research method was used. All ethical issues were considered after which individual interviews were conducted using an interview guide and a tape recorder. A cross-case synthesis was used to analyse data. Results : Results from the study suggest that a partnership is far from being implemented by both the Traditional Health Practitioners and Conventional Health Care Practitioners. It is apparent that they both do not share a common vision. The government has some responsibility and a major role to play in guiding such a partnership and making sure that the South African community is provided with best practices governed by policies and legislation that are transparent, fair and legally binding to everybody involved.