HEALTH SERVICE RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
Please note: All posters will be displayed in
Salons 10-12.
THURSDAY, 5:30-6:15 PM
Kelly M, Hardwick K, Moritz S*, Kelner M, Rickhi B,
Quan H.
Opinions of health policy makers on integration of complementary
and conventional medicine.
Canadian Institute of Natural and Integrative
Medicine s.moritz@cinim.org
*Presenting author
PURPOSE: The objectives of this qualitative
study were to describe what the integration of complementary and alternative
medicine (CAM) means to health care policy makers in Canada and to examine
their recommendations and concerns with regard to the increased integration
of CAM in the conventional health care system.
METHODS: This qualitative study employed face-to-face
interviews with ten provincial government policy makers from Alberta
and British Columbia, Canada. The interviews consisted of open-ended
questions that focused on the barriers and solutions to the integration
of CAM.
RESULTS: Participants highlighted the issues
that need to be addressed for CAM integration to proceed: the prevention
focus in CAM, economic issues, the need for scientific evidence, accreditation
and education of CAM practitioners, professional boundary issues, the
role of advocacy and strategic planning, and a suggested mechanism for
CAM service delivery. The findings indicate policy makers hold a positive
view for the integration of CAM at the clinical and primary care level
of practice. Policy makers support movement towards integrative health
services, but emphasize that the issues of evidence-based CAM research,
standards of accreditation and training for CAM practitioners, and the
issue of who pays for these services needs to be addressed to ensure
the improved health and well-being of Canadians.
CONCLUSION: Interview findings provide suggestions
for the strategic planning of an integrated health care system.
Back