Policy
-CMS gives Certified Nutrition Specialists
(CNS) parity with RDs for delivering hospital nutrition
-Getting
consumers active on Section 2706: IHPC to roll-out CoverMyCare campaign
-IHPC's thorough response to HHS on practitioner
and consumer experiences relative to Non-Discrimination in Health Care Academic Health and Medicine
-Duke opens applications for Leadership
Program in Integrative Healthcare - scholarship advertised
-International Association of Yoga Therapists announces its first accredited
yoga therapy programs Research -NIH NCCAM 2.0: Taylor Walsh reports
on the renaming dialogue at NCCAM's June 2014 National Advisory Council meeting
-NCCAM's Dr. Edwards' reflects on the posters at the International Research
Congress on Integrative Medicine and Health Integrative Practice
-Exit interview: Peter Amato to shut
down Scranton's pioneering, 17-year-old Inner Harmony Wellness Center
-Susan
Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine seeks new director -From Google Alerts: Integrative Medicine in Health Systems,
Communities and Internationally for June 2014 Employers and Payment
-Link-up! New Linked-in group
explores opportunities for integrative health and medicine in emerging payment
models
-Trek Bicycles announces integrative employee health center
-Does measurement of "patient
experience" in the Triple Aim parallel the limited meaning of
"prevention" in health system outcomes? Perspectives
-Bethany Hayes, MD comments on "medical industry" influences on
integrative health and medicine practices
-Additional note on the "medical
industry" and use of language from Beth Sommers, LAc, PhD
Preventive treatment: when doctors are "more like a life insurance
sales team" Organizations
-New Academy of Integrative Health and
Medicine (AIHM) broadens its leadership team: Wisneski, Snider and Weeks join
board Miscellaneous
-Larry Dossey, MD's latest book - the
exceptional One Mind
-Dr. Oz on the Congressional hot-seat on
weight-loss claims People
-Dawn Hague, LMT is new chair of the Commission
on Massage Therapy Accreditation
-Marcia Prenguber, ND the new chair of naturopathic medicine at University of
Bridgeport
After 17 years in the integrative medicine tough-lands of coal country Scranton, Pennsylvania, Peter Amato is calling it quits with his ground-breaking Inner Harmony Wellness Center. On July 31, 2014 the clinic will provide the last of an estimated 34,000 patient visits. The
immediate cause is the loss of two integrative medical doctors. The final tally: 7 years in the red, 3 in the black and 6 at break even. Amato reflects on his highlights and low-lights of his various models, his relationship with a Mercy hospital that became part of a for-profit, and a productive stint as chair of a policy arm of Andy Weil, MD's growing empire in the late 1990s when he had a hand in vastly increasing NCCAM's funding. The heavy lifting of finding,
training, and moving new integrative docs converged with some "soul
searching" about his next life steps to prompt the change. [This article was first prepared for the Huffington Post.]
The proposed re-naming of the NIH National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine is a powerful cultural moment for the field. In this article, Integrator columnist and integrative health and medicine consultant Taylor Walsh documents the dialogue on the topic at the June 2014 meeting of the - what may soon also be renamed - National Advisory Council for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Here are views of Josephine Briggs, MD, Brian Berman, MD, Tracy Gaudet, MD, Scott Haldeman., MD, DC, Dan Cherkin, PhD, and others. Fine job from Walsh. The Integrator comments touch on: the limits of the dialogue since the non-MD "CAM" profession representation has been reduced to 6% of those on the Council; whether "integrative" is a term most recognizable to consumers; and whether "erasing the conflicts" that may come when "complementary" or (heaven forbid) "alternative" is in the title may also be airbrushing our history.
This typically monthly Integrator feature is a quick capture of
highlights
from the multitude for links that flow in daily via Google
Alerts for "integrative medicine," "complementary and alternative
medicine" and "alternative medicine." The gem here is discovering thw
existence of the "Reflexology Section" of the Chamber of Commerce and
Industry in Slovenia. While my original focus was on integrative
medicine in health systems, the later search term
often nets developments from
around the world. Here
are 11 selections related to hospitals and medical organizations in
integrative medicine, 7 from alternative and integrative medicine in community
non-system practices, and 16 developments from around the world for June 1-26.
2014.
When I mentioned to a colleague my odd feelings in writing a newsletter piece about the Lifetime Achievement Living Tribute Award and wonderful book of 150+ tributes presented to me at the gala of the International Research Congress on Integrative Medicine and Health, she said simply: "Let your freak flag fly!" I've taken her suggestion. It turns out that day included threat of cancer (not), association with a Samurai Data Poet, visits of family, living and dead, an affinity with Scrooge mcDuck, and more, all of which I share here. If you'd rather see the book, just click here. In Living Tribute: John Weeks, The Integrator - Three Decades as an Integrative Health Connector, Crusader
and Chronicler. Thanks, each of you Integrator reader people who had a hand in this - and many did!
Policy
-IHPC with 15 Partner Organizations Weighs in on NCCAM Name Change, and an
Integrator Response
-A perspective on the reason to keep "alternatives" from Nancy
Gahles, DC, CCH
-Take the Pledge: Don't
say "healthcare system" when describing "disease treatment"
or the medical industry" Research & Resources
-Josiah Macy Jr Foundation funds ACCAHC Project to Enhance Research Literacy for
Licensed Integrative Health and Medicine Fields
-Terrific plenary webcasts from the International Research Congress on
Integrative Medicine and Health (IRCIMH) available for free
-Khalsa and Weber: NCCAM elevates chiropractic and naturopathic researchers to
key leadership positions
-Capturing the growth of a field: family photo of the naturopathic researcher
community at IRCIMH Useful Data Points
-Use of "CAM" providers among monthly health and medicine choices for
US citizens
-UPMC leader: "Only about a quarter of what we do has strong evidence and
we only do that about half the time." International
-World Health Organization approves new traditional medicine strategy
-A taste of international news in traditional, complementary and alternative
medicine Professions
-Acupuncturists prevail in Oregon battle with chiropractors over dry-needling
-Naturopathic doctors thank World Federation of Chiropractic for hosting them
at the WHO General Assembly
-Christine Goertz, DC, in useful short video and perception surveys about
chiropractors on Quantia MD Miscellaneous
-From Google Alerts: Links to Integrative Medicine in Health Systems and
Communities from May 2014
-Ullman
on "nanopharmacoloy" firm HEEL's decision to pull out of the U.S.
market -Calls for Abstracts: IN-CAM, Oregon NDs in interprofessional
effort, chiropractic leadership conference People
-Adi Haramati, PhD honored by CAHCIM/ISCMR with special award for his
leadership of international research meetings
-David Wickes, DC selected as new president of Canadian Memorial Chiropractic
College
-Integrator's John Weeks given Lifetime Achievement Living Tribute Award at IRCIMH 2014
June 10, 2014
This typically monthly Integrator feature is a quick capture of
highlights from the multitude for links that flow in daily via Google
Alerts for "integrative medicine," "complementary and alternative
medicine" and "alternative medicine." While my focus is on integrative
medicine in health systems, the later search term
nets developments from
around the world. Here
are 9 selections related to hospitals and medical organizations in
integrative medicine, 12 from integrative medicine in community
non-system practices, and 10 from around the world for May
2014.
Language is a virus, as Laurie Anderson sings. This column argues that we spread a kind of sickness when we routinely refer to the form of medical delivery in the United States as a "healthcare system," which it is not. This is not new - but what is also true is that neither is what we have a "disease management system," which in itself is a good an necessary function of optimal medical delivery if done well. What we have instead is a "medical industry" driven largely by production and profit. We have areas where we manage disease well, and also some emerging hope around focused "health creation." Might a critical step toward an actual system that produces health be to start practicing a language that is conscious of which of these we are referencing in any given moment? Here are some reflections, beginning with a parallel language issue that mystifies reality amidst the horrible economics in my present home in Puerto Rico. [This article was first written as a column in Alternative Medicine.]
Following an extensive dialogue between many of the best informed
policy leaders in alternative, complementary and integrative health and
medicine, the Integrative Healthcare Policy Consortium (IHPC)
submitted the letter printed here in full to NIH National Center for Complementary
and Alternative Medicine director Josephine Briggs, MD. Briggs had requested public comment
on her proposal that the name be changed to the National Center for
Research in Complementary and Integrative Health. IHPC's 13 Partners for Health range from massage to integrative medical practice organizations. Their letter is followed by comments on Integrator wishy-washy behavior on name but clarity on what the mandate still means.
Policy -Three
Federal agencies announced a request for comments on Section 2706, Non-Discrimination
in Health Care-respond by June 1
-AAMC's leading workforce research
conference switches focus from "physician" to "health workforce,"
includes integrative health and medicine disciplines
-RWJF report finds limited impact of Choosing
Wisely campaign in combating the 30% of the medical industry that is waste Integrative Pain Treatment
-Samueli studies in Pain Medicine
underscore new directions in integrative pain treatment
-U.S. Senate Committee on Veteran's
Affairs examines alternatives to pain drugs
-US Health and Human Services on
combating opioid addictions: Use more drugs!
-Twitter chat on CAM and back pain
produces surprising dismissal of "CAM" from NCCAM tweeter
-Canadian firm urges multidisciplinary
approach to pain treatment, but with limited team Surveys -AANP survey of Medicare recipients
finds high interest in use of naturopathic doctors and in non-pharma treatment -CDC report stimulates flurry of
news accounts on regional trends in "CAM" use Integrative Care
-Cleveland Clinic Chinese herb program with Crane Herb makes huge waves in
media
-New School in New York City pioneers auricular acupuncture and acupressure in
university setting Professions
-A snapshot of the size and maturation of the licensed integrative health and
medicine fields Philanthropic Partners
-Emerson Ecologics grants funds to IHPC's
cost-effectiveness project, Foundations Project and NY NDs
-Health Partners, BCBS and Tufts make
grants to Pathways for Wellness Academic Health
-IOM
workshop features presentations on community-based integrative health education
led by Southern California University of Health Sciences Robb Russell, DC
-Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine opens clinic in Adelante Health
System
-George Washington University launches online integrative medicine program
-NUHS chiropractor Daniel Straus, DC
chairs Florida medical district board of directors
-Ohio State University (OSU)
integrative medicine program hosts the mindfulness Congressman, Tim Ryan
-National College of Natural Medicine announces Masters in Global Health Miscellaneous
-Persevering in cause work: Paul Loeb's The Impossible Will Take a Little
While and how "hope is not the same thing as optimism"
April 27, 2014
This typically monthly Integrator feature is a quick capture of
highlights from the multitude for links that flow in daily via Google
Alerts for "integrative medicine," "complementary and alternative
medicine" and "alternative medicine." While my focus is on integrative
medicine in health systems, the later search term
nets developments from
around the world. Here
are
13 selections related to hospitals and medical organizations in
integrative medicine, 8 from integrative medicine in community
non-system practices, and a half-dozen from around the world for April
2014. The big news this month: the Cleveland Clinic's new herb program,
the CDC data on regional use patterns and the Australian report
concluding there is no value in homeopathy.
Policy
-VA's integrative pain initiative shows early positives in limiting opioid
dependency
-Is a major threat to integrative medicine practice rolling south and west from
Nova Scotia's medical board?
-IHPC Brings 2706, CAHCIM and Allina to Congressional Briefing on "Easing
the US Healthcare Crisis: The Role of Integrative Health Care" -Doctors of chiropractic and
naturopathic medicine on National Quality Forum panel Organizations
-American Academy of Pain Management calls on insurers to cover integrative
approaches as part of team approach to chronic pain
-American Academy of Neurology issues guidelines for CAM and multiple sclerosis
- cannabis high on list
-IN-CAM Research Network announces 10th Anniversary Research Symposium: The
Next Wave
-Massage Therapy Foundation engages research systematic review with Samueli
Institute
-American Public Health Association's "CAM" group changes name
-AHA, hospital transformation and leadership via the CEO of Hospital Corporation
of America: health creation? Integrative Centers
-From Google Alerts: Links to Integrative Medicine in Health Systems and
Communities-March 2014
-Chiropractor on integrative practice at the Casey Health Institute's
patient-centered medicine home
-Attorney Michael Cohen offers insights into "fee-splitting" business
strategies in integrative centers
-Guarneri's Pacific Pearl La Jolla officially opens May 10 with top
naturopathic doctors in key clinical roles Academia
-UCLA Arts and Healing advances leadership in the creative arts/health
connection with series of grants
-Chiropractors form Consortium of Evidence-Informed Practice Educators; LeFebvre
named to head
-$5.5-million grant to bring Vanderbilt into the family of Osher-funded centers;
Northwestern to follow -Early notice: July 2015 conference on the "Process of Integrating
Evidence (PIE) for CAM Educators" Professions
-AHMA exploring merging into new Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine
-Trends and "Tremors in the Massage Industry"
-Transition
at AAAOM: Jabbour steps down as president of national acupuncture association
-National Association for Certified Professional Midwives accepted into
International Confederation of Midwives
-Maryland becomes 18th
state to regulate naturopathic doctors Resources
-ACCAHC, a consortium of integrative health and medicine educators, posts
free presentations, posters, papers, newsletters from 2005-present -Naturopathic Doctors News & Review releases free, online directory
of 9 years of back issues
-ACCAHC's 2nd edition of heralded text on integrative health disciplines in
team care era available in e-versions, book, and as free PDF Miscellaneous
-Former FDA official Daniel Fabricant, PhD named to direct Natural Products
Alliance
-Community acupuncturists respond to community stress from the Oso, Washington
mudslides People -In Memoriam: Tanya Edwards, MD (1960-2014)
This typically monthly Integrator feature reflects a quick capture of
highlights from the multitude for links that flow in daily via Google
Alerts for "integrative medicine," "complementary and alternative
medicine" and "alternative medicine." While my focus is on integrative
medicine in health systems, the later search term
nets developments from
around the world that I began to share for November 2013. Here
are 15 selections related to hospitals and medical organization in
integrative medicine and 8 from the community, for March 2013. Chose to
not include information from around the world this time.
Policy -Department
of Defense report to Congress details military use of CAM therapies and
practitioners
-NCMIC Foundation supports presence of licensed integrative practitioners in
the nation's workforce debate
-Anti-discrimination petition filed at
Change.org by expectant mother seeking a midwife; IHPC endorses, and KHN covers
Integrative Clinics
-An ND-LAc shares experience as a Medicaid-covered practitioner for Healthpoint
FQHC
-Academic integrative centers in Ohio open doors to TCM
-Boise's St. Alphonsus Medical Center
begins referral service for prenatal yoga therapy
-Manahan and Snider respond to article
on the Secret Sauce and Positive Side-Effects Via Whole Person Integrative
Medicine Academic Integrative Medicine
-Bastyr teaching clinic ranks among the top among all Puget Sound primary care
clinics
-Consortium
publishes standards for competencies for integrative medicine fellowships
-Southwest College of Naturopathic
Medicine receives
award from Tempe Chamber of Commerce Professions and Organizations
-National acupuncture association and president Michael Jabbour taken to task
in "AAAOM - Making Promises it Can't Keep"
-Holistic medical organizations AHMA and ABIHM link together in new Academy of Integrative
Health and Medicine
-ACAM
grants first physician membership and advisory position to chiropractor, CTCA's
James Rosenberg, DC
-International College of Integrative Medicine offers $20,000 planning grant
for a major chelation study
-Naturopathic profession's organ, Natural Medicine Journal, publishes
special oncology issue
-From "drugless" to "drug-free" - American Chiropractic
Association endorses position of Chiropractic Summit
-National, multidisciplinary certification
for health coaches advances Books
-Holistic nurse Lucia Thornton, BC-HN publishes Whole Person Caring
-Norton publishes Scott Shannon, DO's Mental
Health for the Whole Child People& Awards
-James Gordon, MD and Tieraona Lowdog, MD receive 2014 awards from the
Integrative Healthcare Symposium
-Jerrilyn Cambron, DC, PhD elected president of the Massage Therapy Foundation
-American Botanical Council and American Herbal Products Association announce
2014 awards
-Payment expert Anthony Hamm, DC elected president of the American Chiropractic
Association
March 2, 2014
[This column was first published here at the Huffington Post.) The concept that the U.S. medical industry needs a radical shift away from profiting off disease toward a system that focuses on health creation is deeply imbedded in the movement for integrative health and medicine. Now the policy leader who is perhaps the most influential player in U.S. medicine over the last 20 years, Don Berwick, MD, is urging all leaders of hospitals and health systems for just such a "far more radical shift than we have imagine" toward a system organized toward "creating health" in the individual and communities served. More
Policy
-Shifting paradigms: Berwick urges "radical shift" in medical
industry toward "creating health"
-White House responds to petitions from the acupuncture and naturopathic
medicine communities
-Events to honor Senator Harkin: Samueli Institute and American Chiropractic
Association
-Mark Guimond offers new resource on acupuncture legislation via National
Policy Group
-Not yet "creating health" but "historic" Maryland plan
shifts perverse payment incentives in hospitals Research
-Employer-focused Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine publishes
report showing cost savings from naturopathic care
-NCCAM's
Briggs speaks of her agency's involvement in the "paradigm shift"
toward pragmatic trials Public Health
-Credit CVS Caremark: APHA calls on all drug stores to end cigarette sales
-Sommers reports on CAM/IM at the APHA meeting
-Massage groups publish group statement supporting the Entry-Level Analysis
Project (ELAP) Academic
Medicine
-U Kansas and Cleveland Chiropractic College faculty meet in joint session on
pain
-Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) receives
Building Bridges of Integration award
-
International group of medicinal plant researchers endorses ABC-AHP-NCNPR
Botanical Adulterants Program Opportunities
-Aurora Health Care has job openings for acupuncturists, chiropractors, and
massage therapists
-Homeopathy accreditation group ACHENA call for commissioners
-U Kansas Medical Center opens applications to MD or DO for its eighth
integrative medicine fellowship People
-Kasra Pournadeali, ND takes over as president of the American Association of
Naturopathic Physicians
-AHPA view - supplement critic Congressman Henry Waxman to not seek re-election
Those
who grow up experiencing medicine and medical treatment as pharmaceuticals, diagnostic
procedures, and surgery can have trouble with the idea of "positive side
effects."Hard
evidence is building to support these claims of "positive side effects." Group
Health Research Institute senior research scientist Dan Cherkin, PhD, is a
specialist in integrative health research. His team published their findings as: "Unanticipated
benefits of CAM therapies for back pain." (This article was first written as an as-yet-to-be published column in the consumer magazine, Alternative Medicine. It was first published on the internet here at the Huffington Post.
