Conventional and Alternative Medicine Integration – Is It Possible?

Background

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness to complementary medicine among general public around the world. It has resulted in enormous increase in the utilization of complementary medicine, and the consequent incorporation of such services into HMOs and medical centers.

Objectives

1. To examine attitudes of key figures in the Israeli health policy realm about the level of CAM integration in the Israeli health system

2. To propose an integration model.

Methodology

The research was based on 45 in-depth interviews with senior figures within the Israeli health system such as: Ministry of health officers, hospital heads, therapists and physicians.

Findings

Almost half of the interviewees, including physicians and therapists, claimed that CAM in Israel was not successfully integrated with conventional medicine in the health system. Most of the physicians claimed that it was the result of lacking of systematic medical studies of CAM. Most of the therapists claimed that it was the result of physicians fundamental rejection of CAM philosophy.

Other interviewees claimed that CAM in Israel was successfully integrated in the health system and its integration in H.M.O's and hospitals is proving that.

The research presents the different views of the interviewees and constructs a structure model for integrating CAM in H.M.O's and hospitals.

Conclusions

CAM has penetrated into the conventional health system in Israel but full and comprehensive integration has not been accomplished yet. We suggest a model for better integration that requires the cooperation of conventional medical community, recognition of CAM possible contribution and the need for better communication between conventional and alternative therapists.