Integrative Healthcare, Integrative Medicine

[eLearner]

I'm not in the medical field and I have no plans to be, but I am curious: I've noticed recently that a lot of hospitals (collegiate and otherwise), are introducing Integrative Healthcare programs. Reading many articles, I see that there had been a war between established healthcare programs and its practitioners and those wanting to integrate evidence-based (and some not evidence-based) but rarely used techniques into the fold. It appears the Integrative proponents have won the war as it seems like everyone from Harvard to Duke to Johns Hopkins to the clinic down the street are all rushing to set up Integrative Healthcare programs.

So in my curiosity, I searched and only found two legitimate schools offering Integrative Healthcare programs:

Saybrook University: Offers a certification in Integrative Medicine and a PhD in Mind-Body Medicine.

Huntington University of Health Sciences: Offers a Doctor of Science in Integrative Healthcare with a custom concentration.

What I wonder is, is it too soon for these programs? Is there any marketable value to them for medical career-seekers? Reading the governing board for Integrative Medicines' literature (ABOIM), it appears that a person has to hold board certifications that are common to what allopathic physicians have (with the exception of the allowance of Naturopathic Doctors) in order to become board certified (which would kind of invalidate the above two degrees).

[sanantone]

There are more integrative, complementary, and alternative health programs from accredited schools. These programs would be useless to naturopathic doctors since their programs already cover this. Acupuncture programs cover eastern alternative medicine. I don't know what chiropractor programs cover, but I know there are chiropractors who go beyond just doing adjustments and offer advice on alternative treatments. 

There are DOs, MDs, and nurse practitioners who practice integrative medicine. I don't think they need a whole degree in this area. There are certificate programs made for them. 

The integrative, alternative, and complementary medicine programs mainly target those who want to become natural health consultants. You don't need a license to give advice; you just can't treat or diagnose patients.

Regarding the PhD, it's a research degree. You can choose to teach and/or conduct research in this area.

[eLearner]

There are more integrative, complementary, and alternative health programs from accredited schools.

One of the controversies I read about centered on a debate of whether or not all of those things should be lumped together or separated as different things that shouldn't be together. I've read some who study integrative healthcare and medicine argue that the "complementary" and "alternative" sides focus on too many unproven practices like homeopathy and reiki and things of that nature. I've then read some who say "complementary" and "alternative" modalities are a part of integrative healthcare & medicine, while the counter back arguments were that real Integrative health & medicine is about using proven evidence-based approaches (herbs and solutions that have been studied and proven, proven exercise techniques, proven nutrition plans).

If the ABOIM is any indication, it seems like the emerging Integrative Healthcare system is trying to define itself more to the side of the evidence-based approaches and separate itself from the others. I mention all of that because, while I've found many more schools that offer complementary, and alternative programs, I haven't found much accredited that specifically titles itself as "Integrative Healthcare" or "Integrative Medicine" outside of the two I posted.

There are DOs, MDs, and nurse practitioners who practice integrative medicine. I don't think they need a whole degree in this area. There are certificate programs made for them. 

That's what I've gathered from reading the sites of a lot of the healthcare systems that have adopted it. Since a person who isn't an MD, DO, ND, or NP that got a Doctorate in Mind-Body Medicine or Integrative Healthcare or Integrative Medicine still wouldn't be an MD, DO, ND, or NP, it appears their career prospects would center on what you mentioned: research and advice. I have a feeling that people with MD, DO, NP--and to a lesser extent--ND after their names would get first priority in the hiring order. The PhD would probably have some university research opportunities, and the Dsc would probably often wind up working independently or in the health food and nutrition circuit.

[Excellente]

University of the Western States offers a Master's Degree in Functional Medicine. There are 2 tracks: Graduate certificate (great for those with a DC, MD degree) and a Master's of Science Degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine. 

After graduation, you are eligible to sit for the Dietetics Exam administered through the American Clinical Board of Nutrition (ACBN). (In Florida you need to be a registered dietician so that you can give nutritional advice).

https://www.uws.edu/human-nutrition-functional-medicine/

"accredited regionally through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. This is the highest level for non-profits and it is recognized in all U.S. states"

"Graduates of the MS in HNFM program can sit for the Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN) examination and for the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) examination. Some certifications also require supervised clinical practice hours and students should contact these organizations to receive the most up-to-date information."

[eLearner]

University of the Western States offers a Master's Degree in Functional Medicine. There are 2 tracks: Graduate certificate (great for those with a DC, MD degree) and a Master's of Science Degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine. 

After graduation, you are eligible to sit for the Dietetics Exam administered through the American Clinical Board of Nutrition (ACBN). (In Florida you need to be a registered dietician so that you can give nutritional advice).

https://www.uws.edu/human-nutrition-functional-medicine/

"accredited regionally through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. This is the highest level for non-profits and it is recognized in all U.S. states"

"Graduates of the MS in HNFM program can sit for the Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN) examination and for the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) examination. Some certifications also require supervised clinical practice hours and students should contact these organizations to receive the most up-to-date information."

Yeah, I caught that one a few days ago. I notice that a lot of these programs have a strong focus on nutrition. I think it's great, what we eat is very important to our health.

Admittedly, I've only really been reading up on the Doctoral side of this as my curiosity has centered on what the future might look like regarding the people administering this type of care at the highest level. There might be a lot more going on below the Doctoral level that I'm not aware of. I saw a MS in Medicine at one school with a concentration in Alternative Therapies. The school stated that the program satisfied all prerequisites for Medical school + the 1st year of medical school which if accurate would sound like a really good deal for the asking price . I never even knew a degree directly in Medicine existed below the Doctoral level until I came across that, but now I can't remember where I read it, lol...

[sanantone]

Outside of psychology, the PhD is not a practitioner degree.