Integrative Medicine in Australian Health Care: a New Direction for Primary Health Care

Integrative medicine is an emerging model of primary health care that combines complementary and Western medicine. Despite its increasing popularity, little is known about integrative medicine and its value to primary health care. This book explores the practice of integrative medicine in the Australian health care system and provides a wealth of new knowledge about practice styles, interactions between clients and practitioners, and health benefits. A theorised model linking health care quality to practice styles is produced. Authentically client- centred care is at the core of all these practice styles. Integrative medicine in which practitioners genuinely value each other¿s expertise can make a substantial and far-reaching contribution to the quality of primary health care. Crucially, integrative medicine harmonises with contemporary social and cultural attitudes, adding both value and volume to medical practice. This book will be especially useful to policy-makers in the health system, to owners of primary care practices, to complementary and Western medical practitioners, and to current and future clients of integrative medicine.