Integrative health care - Toward a common understanding: A mixed method study

Matthew J Leach; Marlene Wiese; Manisha Thakkar; Tamara Agnew

doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2017.12.007

Integrative health care - Toward a common understanding: A mixed method study

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018 Feb:30:50-57. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2017.12.007. Epub 2017 Dec 6.

Authors

Matthew J Leach¹, Marlene Wiese², Manisha Thakkar³, Tamara Agnew⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Rural Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Southgate Institute for Health, Society & Equity, Flinders University of SA, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ Department of Bioscience, Endeavour College of Natural Health, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁴ Health Economics & Social Policy Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 29389479
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2017.12.007

Abstract

Objective: To generate a multidisciplinary stakeholder-informed definition of integrative health care (IHC).

Methods: A mixed-method study design was used, employing the use of focus groups/semi-structured interviews (phase-1) and document analysis (phases 2 and 3). Phase-1 recruited a purposive sample of Australian health consumers/health providers. Phase-2 interrogated websites of international IHC organisations for definitions of IHC. Phase-3 systematically searched bibliographic databases for articles defining IHC. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: Data were drawn from 54 health consumers/providers (phase-1), 23 IHC organisation webpages (phase-2) and 23 eligible articles (phase-3). Seven themes emerged from the data. Consensus was reached on a single, 65-word definition of IHC.

Conclusion: An unambiguous definition of IHC is critical to establishing a clearer identity for IHC, as well as providing greater clarity for consumers, health providers and policy makers. In recognising the need for a clearer description, we propose a scientifically-grounded, multi-disciplinary stakeholder-informed definition of IHC.

Keywords: Definition; Integrated health care; Integrative health care; Integrative medicine; Mixed-method.

MeSH terms

Australia
Comprehension*
Consensus
Delivery of Health Care* / classification
Delivery of Health Care* / methods
Focus Groups
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Health Personnel
Humans
Integrative Medicine
Research Design
Stakeholder Participation
Terminology as Topic*