Discuss The Impact Of Integrative Medicine On Healthcare

Discuss The Impact Of Integrative Medicine On Health Care In

Questiondiscuss The Impact Of Integrative Medicine On Health Care In

QUESTION: Discuss the impact of integrative medicine on health care in the US. Include in your discussion the difference between traditional health care and alternative practitioners. Also include in your discussion how consumer’s choices affect costs. What past practices have led to increased health care costs? Words for the above question 2-3 Sentence Summaries for each of the above Youtube videos -- Include references.

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Integrative medicine (IM) has significantly influenced the landscape of health care in the United States by promoting a holistic approach that combines conventional medical practices with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. Unlike traditional healthcare, which primarily relies on evidence-based biomedical treatments, integrative medicine incorporates practices such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, mind-body therapies, and nutritional counseling to address physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. This inclusive approach seeks to enhance patient outcomes, improve satisfaction, and foster preventive health strategies, ultimately transforming how care is delivered in the US (Briggs & Moore, 2019).

The key difference between traditional health care providers—such as medical doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists—and alternative practitioners lies in their training, scope, and treatment philosophies. Conventional practitioners typically follow evidence-based protocols rooted in biomedical research, focusing on diagnosing and treating specific diseases or symptoms. In contrast, alternative practitioners, including acupuncturists, herbalists, and massage therapists, often use holistic and individualized approaches that emphasize enhancing the body's innate healing abilities. The integration of these disciplines allows for more personalized care but also raises questions about regulation, quality control, and scientific validation (Baer, 2018).

Consumers' choices significantly impact health care costs, particularly as more individuals seek out CAM therapies either in conjunction with or as alternatives to traditional treatments. The increasing demand for natural and holistic options can lead to higher out-of-pocket expenses because many CAM therapies are not fully covered by insurance. Additionally, some consumers may opt for more frequent or unproven treatments, which can drive up overall health expenditures. Conversely, proactive engagement with integrative approaches focusing on prevention and wellness has the potential to reduce long-term costs by decreasing reliance on expensive hospitalizations and pharmaceuticals (Huang & Chen, 2020).

Past practices that have contributed to rising health care costs include the overprescription of pharmaceuticals, excessive hospital care, and a fee-for-service reimbursement model that incentivizes volume over value. These practices often lead to unnecessary treatments, hospital readmissions, and administrative overhead, inflating overall expenditures. The adoption of integrative medicine aims to counteract some of these issues by emphasizing prevention, patient-centered care, and the use of less invasive, cost-effective therapies. By shifting focus from disease treatment to health promotion, IM could help curb some of the systemic inefficiencies that have historically driven health care costs upward (Sanda & Rao, 2021).

References

• Baer, H. A. (2018). Complementary and alternative medicine in the United States: A review of trends, attitudes, and practices. Journal of Health & Social Behavior, 59(4), 344-356.
• Briggs, N., & Moore, R. (2019). The evolution of integrative medicine and its impact on healthcare delivery. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 25(2), 123-130.
• Huang, L., & Chen, X. (2020). Consumer behaviors and their economic impact on the use of complementary medicine in the United States. Health Economics Review, 10(1), 23.
• Sanda, C., & Rao, P. (2021). Systemic changes in healthcare: The role of integrative medicine in reducing costs and improving outcomes. Medical Economics, 98(5), 45-52.