<p> This mixed methods study examines the opinions of U.S-based practitioners of Chinese Medicine (CM). This study recruited CM practitioners (n = 96) from U.S professional association networks. The study asked CM practitioners to define the term integrative medicine (IM). They were also asked to reflect on the role of CM within contemporary health care in the United States, the impact this may have on patient care, and the future of CM as a part of IM. </p><p> While some CM practitioners in this study voiced optimism and an interest in working in IM settings, others equated the opportunity for integration with loss of CM traditions, compromise to CM, and professional subordination. While CM practitioners are fully trained to practice a complete system of medicine, acupuncture alone is most frequently the modality that is utilized in IM settings. </p><p> Practitioners were of the opinion that skills, training, knowledge, and experience that are included in patient care remain underutilized in IM settings. They also had concerns about maintaining the distinct philosophy and practices that constitute Chinese medicine as a whole system of care. </p><p> The recommendation from this study is that the current hierarchical structure that exists in many IM settings open up to the possibility that CM can provide a range of treatment options for patients that conventional medicine cannot. The contribution that CM practitioners could bring to the developing field of IM holds great potential. The majority of CM practitioners surveyed agreed that the health care field in the United States is expanding and this offers opportunities for ongoing development of the Chinese medicine profession in the United States.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:3713995 |
| Date | 04 September 2015 |
| Creators | Wilson, Carla J. |
| Publisher | California Institute of Integral Studies |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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