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Integrative medicine is not the same as alternative medicine, which refers to an approach to healing that is utilized in place of conventional therapies, or complementary medicine, which refers to healing modalities that are used to complement allopathic approaches. If the defining principles are applied, care can be integrative regardless of which modalities are utilized. To continue to provide quality care, we need a basic knowledge of CAM therapies and communication skills that will encourage patients to talk with us about the integrative medicine they’re using so that we can offer appropriate guidance and advice. This article is meant to provide those two things.

The use of complementary medicine is common in the United States and around the world. To maintain effective patient-provider communication and ensure responsible clinical practice, it is important that clinicians learn some theory, practice, and scientific evidence associated with these therapies.