US Healthcare Reform Bill Contains Opportunities for Integrative Medicine

I’ve just read a blog post written by Explore: Journal of Science and Healing basically explaining the different ways the new Healthcare Reform Bill can provide opportunities for integrative medicine communities through offering ideas for prevention strategies, patient-centred care and management of chronic conditions. Rather than re-writing the post, I’m putting the reference here for you to read yourself - it’s quite detailed but I think a very useful resource for our American friends.

Exciting Integrative Oncology Research Centre in Washington

A research centre dedicated to providing integrative care to cancer patients was opened in February 2009 on the campus of Bastyr University, Washington. Participants in the study are offered support through each stage of their journey (from diagnosis to treatment decisions, through to restoring immune function and health after completing conventional treatment). The centre has naturopathic doctors who are certified to work on cancer, doctors of acupuncture and oriental  medicine, who offer mind/body medicine, acupuncture, botanical medicine and nutrition. All the doctors working at the Research Centre communicate with each participant’s medical and radiation oncologists to ensure truly integrated care.

The collaborating research partner for this project is a researcher from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, carrying out analysis of a controlled outcomes study (which means they will evaluate comparable medical care approaches). So the study will compare the “disease-free survival” and quality of life in participants who are treated at Bastyr to cancer patients living in Washington State who do not include complementary, alternative or integrated therapies in their treatment plans. The results of this study will be very important for practitioners seeking to offer integrated care within mainstream healthcare. I’ll post details as soon as I hear. 

Revolutionary hospital care in Minneapolis

I’ve just come across an amazing hospital in Minneapolis. This is a hospital just like any other you’ve ever been to, but a hospital where you can ALSO get all of these therapies for free while you’re an in-patient.

• acupressure
• holistic nursing consultations
• acupuncture
• guided imagery
• healing touch
• massage therapy
• music therapy
• reflexology
• other relaxation and stress reduction therapies 

All these services are offered by the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing as part of the medical care of inpatients, regardless of the patients’ clinical condition. Practitioners also provide integrated medicine to hospital outpatients and they run community programmes (such as offering a Healing Coach) to support people in changing their lives in ways which would benefit their health in the long run. If you want to find out more detail about how they work here’s their report. It’s well worth a look. Watch this short video to be truly inspired!