An holistic research design for Integrative Medicine

Tags: Poster
Simpson R

Background: While directing his private health centers from the early seventies, the author commenced evolving his formula for Integrative Medicine (IM). In teaching his self help principles for health promotion, he was obliged to show the effectiveness of his centers and consequent follow up treatment via co-operative self monitoring procedures. This has lead to current constructs within national systems on a cost effective basis for health promotion and research.

Objectives: The research design is to evaluate all effective interventions, separately and combined for IM.

Methods:

1. An Holistic Paradigm is proposed as an international reference of data is not currently available to health practitioners and consumers of the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of ALL effective (traditional/complementary) healthcare systems and for specific disorders.

2. A national database is proposed based on an individual 'Lifestyle Monitor' and for each nation to implement.

3. A national database is therefore a collation of both quantitative outcome measurements combined with qualitative questionnaires per individual and is both randomised and longitudinal in construct for each life and throughout life.

4. It is the extrapolation of that data by research professionals in their various disciplines which is the key for further research via standard research designs.

5. Benefits, awards and rewards are envisaged to consumers collaborating in such self responsibility and research as a health promotion strategy in both public and private sectors.

Results: After thirty years of such work it is planned to proceed globally with current research design for WHO accreditation for consumer and professional (Cochrane) education, collaboration, and promotion. All professional comment is sought to fine tune the protocol to national and international standards as a health promotion strategy for research.

Conclusions: The public has the ability to learn and practice self help monitoring as is established with obesity, diabetes, hypertension and others. That there is no definitive evaluation of traditional (complementary) medicine is widely recognized and despite the increase in treatments. This research design is proposed to proceed nationally and globally to address these issues for consumers and health professionals as a base reference.