Opinions of Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture on the Emergence of Integrated Medicine

Background: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as practiced in contemporary China is integrated into a larger system of health care that includes practitioners trained in Western medicine and those trained in TCM. In the United States (US) TCM is only beginning to be recognized as a viable method of health care, but is seen as an attractive addition to IM settings. Methods: A mixed methods approach to inquiry was used for this study by applying both quantitative and qualitative methods. The methods used consisted of narrative-based interviews and survey-guided inquiry. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the material gathered from the participants. Data was collected from two groups; TCM practitioners trained and practicing in China and TCM practitioners US trained and practicing in the US. Both groups of practitioners were asked to define the term Integrative Medicine (IM) and reflect on the role of TCM within contemporary health care and the future of TCM as a part of IM. Results: This study reflects how practitioners of TCM construct reality in relationship to the practice of IM and how this unique perspective impacts the social world and the emergence of IM as part of a greater system of health care. Conclusion: Analysis of the data will be presented identifying recurring patterns in the opinions and views collected from TCM practitioners in relationship to IM and public access to health care.