Skip to content
Fullscript leaf logo Sign in
Fullscript logo
Fullscript leaf logo
  • Our platform
    • Practitioner software
    • Pricing
    • Integrations
    • Patients on Fullscript
    • Book a demo
  • Learn
    • Spotlight
    • Protocols
    • Wellness blog
    • Practice resources
    • Webinars
    • Ingredient library
    • Practicing virtually
  • Support
    • Practitioner support
    • Patient help
    • Contact us
    • Or chat with us
Sign in Create account
Integrative Medicine
—

What Is An Integrative Medicine Doctor—and Do You Need One?

March 15, 2022
Fact checked
Written by Kim Erickson
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Natacha Montpellier, ND, B.Sc.
  1. Wellness blog
  2. What Is An Integrative Medicine Doctor—and Do Y...

Welcome to Fullscript’s integrative medicine education series. Discover how integrative medicine improves patient outcomes and why it’s being adopted by forward-thinking practitioners across North America.  

Currently an estimated four in ten Americans use some form of complementary or integrative medicine and more than half of family doctors recommend some type of alternative therapy to their patients. (31)(33) As interest grows among both patients and practitioners, integrative medicine might just represent the next generation in healthcare.

what is an integrative medicine doctor

Integrative medicine physicians look at all aspects of a patient’s life and strive to form a partnership with them as they begin their healing journey. (9)

What does an integrative medicine doctor do?

Integrative medicine uses a combination of evidence-based conventional medical care and alternative treatments and therapies to address both the symptoms and the root cause of a disease. The goal is to not only improve health outcomes, but to help patients achieve optimal health and wellness. (21) By considering a patient’s lifestyle, mental/emotional well-being, and environment, an integrative medicine practitioner focuses on the whole person, not just their symptoms. (6)

What’s more, integrative medicine doctors are noted for forming a partnership with each patient to accomplish their health goals. (9) It’s a patient-centered medical system with a diverse array of evidence-based tools at its disposal to enhance health and healing. Like allopathic physicians, integrative medical practitioners can utilize conventional drugs, surgery, and testing. Like alternative or traditional Western medicine practitioners, they can use traditional or lifestyle therapies shown through science to be safe and effective. (6) These can include:

  • Acupuncture
  • Ayurvedic medicine
  • Chiropractic care
  • Diet
  • Dietary supplements
  • Exercise
  • Expressive art therapy (i.e., art or music therapy)
  • Guided imagery
  • Healing touch therapy
  • Herbal remedies
  • Homeopathy
  • Magnetic field therapy
  • Massage therapy
  • Meditation
  • Qigong
  • Reflexology
  • Reiki
  • Traditional Chinese medicine
  • Vitamin IV therapy
  • Yoga (2)(5)

Did you know? Integrative medical doctors are board-certified medical doctors (MDs) or doctors of osteopathy (DOs) who have completed post-graduate studies in integrative medicine. (15)(28)

What to expect during your appointment with an integrative medicine doctor

Instead of just getting an average of 15 minutes of facetime with your physician, an initial appointment with an integrative medicine doctor can take an hour or more. (32) During your appointment, the physician will take a deep dive into your personal and family history. They will also ask about any current medications or dietary supplements you are taking as well as your diet, lifestyle habits, and environment. The initial appointment may include a physical examination and functional testing (i.e., food sensitivity, genetics, gut health, or hormone testing). Conventional laboratory and/or imaging testing may also be ordered as needed to establish a baseline. (13) Not only will this provide the physician with vital information about your condition and the general state of your health, it allows enough time to establish a rapport between doctor and patient.

Once an integrative medical doctor has all of your data, they will create a unique and personalized health plan using all of the tools available to them. The ultimate goal is to foster the best healing strategy to address a patient’s immediate concern and to work with them to cultivate improved quality of life as well as optimal health and wellness. (3)(12)

Did you know? Research reports positive health outcomes and greater satisfaction among patients who use integrative medicine. (10)(25)

what is an integrative medicine doctor treating patient

Integrative medical doctors take a holistic approach and actively involve patients in their own health care. As a result, patients are more likely to stick to their treatment plan. (4)

How to find an integrative medicine doctor

If you’re interested in exploring the benefits of integrative medicine with an integrative medicine doctor in your area, you can tap into the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine database at the University of Arizona to find a practitioner near you. Since this database may not include every integrative medicine doctor in your city or state, a simple online search may yield more results. A local hospital or university, as well as your primary healthcare provider, may also be able to supply you with a list of integrative medicine doctors. (23)

During your first visit, it’s wise to ask the same type of questions you would ask any medical professional:

  • Are you board certified?
  • What is your philosophy towards healing?
  • Are you experienced with my particular health concern?
  • What primary treatments do you use?
  • Do you accept my insurance?
  • How long does the appointment typically last?
  • Can I bring a family member or friend to the appointment?
  • What is the cost of care? (22)(23)(24)

The future of integrative medicine

The future of integrative medicine looks bright as conventional doctors and medical institutions increasingly explore and utilize complementary therapies. Integrative medicine is becoming so well accepted that one paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that 48% of mainstream practitioners recommend complementary protocols to their patients—and 24% use some form of complementary medicine themselves. (7) This trend is primarily being driven by the high rates of chronic disease, the high cost of conventional medical care, and the patients themselves. (29)

Because of the growing interest in integrative medicine among patients and practitioners alike, the scientific community is starting to conduct more research into the efficacy and safety of various complementary therapies. (16)(19)(29) Some medical schools are also including complementary disciplines into their curriculums. (8)(14)(29) What’s more, new clinical practice guidelines that include complementary therapies for conditions like cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, mental health, and oncology support are also being developed by conventional medical groups such as the American College of Physicians. (1)(17)(20)(26) These developments bode well for the future of integrative medicine as a mainstream form of healing.

Did you know? At least 42% of U.S. hospitals offer integrative care to their patients. (30)

The bottom line

Integrative medicine is a form of medicine that involves a holistic approach to health and wellness to treat the whole person. It’s a patient-centered system that uses a blend of evidence-based conventional and complementary therapies to enhance care. If you think an integrative medicine approach to healthcare might be right for you, research the options in your area and do your due diligence when choosing a provider. If you currently use non-mainstream therapies, it’s also important to keep all of your healthcare providers in the loop as some medications and conventional treatments can adversely interact with complementary and integrative medicine therapies.

Fullscript simplifies supplement dispensing

Create your dispensary today I'm a patient

References
  1. Balneaves, L.G., Watling, C.Z., Hayward, E.N., Ross, B., Taylor-Brown, J., Porcino, A., & Truant, T.L.O. (2022). Addressing complementary and alternative medicine use among individuals with cancer: An integrative review and clinical practice guideline. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 114(1):25-37.
  2. Bell, L. (2014). Integrative modalities. Cure, 13(2). https://www.curetoday.com/view/integrative-modalities
  3. Bell, I.R., Caspi, O., Schwartz, G.E., Grant, K.L., Gaudet, T.W., Rychener, D., Maizes, V., & Weil, A. Integrative medicine and systemic outcomes research: issues in the emergence of a new model for primary health care. Archives of Internal Medicine, 162(2):133-40.
  4. Ben-Arye, E., Kruger, D., Samuels, N., Keinan-Boker, L., Shalom, T., & Schiff, E. (2014). Assessing patient adherence to a complementary medicine treatment regimen in an integrative supportive care setting. Supportive Care in Cancer, 22(3), 627-644.
  5. Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Health: What’s In a Name? (2021). National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/complementary-alternative-or-integrative-health-whats-in-a-name
  6. Complementary and alternative medicine. (2021). National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam
  7. Corbin Winslow, L. & Shapiro, H. (2002). Physicians want education about complementary and alternative medicine to enhance communication with their patients. Archives of Internal Medicine,162(10):1176-81.
  8. Cowen, V.S. & Cyr, V. (2015). Complementary and alternative medicine in US medical schools. Advances in Medical Education and Practice, 6, 113–117.
  9. Crocker, R.L., Grizzle, A.J., Hurwitz, J.T., Rehfeld, R.A., Abraham, I., Horwitz, R., Weil, A., & Maizes, V. (2017). Integrative medicine primary care: assessing the practice model through patients’ experiences. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 17(1), 490.
  10. Gannotta, R., Malik, S., Chan, A.Y., Urgun, K., Hsu, F., & Vadera, S. (2018). Integrative medicine as a vital component of patient care. Cureus, 10(8),e3098.
  11. Green, A.R., Carrillo, J.E., & Betancourt, J.R. (2002). Why the disease-based model of medicine fails our patients. The Western Journal of Medicine, 176(2), 141–143.
  12. Hack, C.C., Hackl, J., Hüttner, N., Langemann, H., Schwitulla, J., Dietzel-Drentwett, S., Fasching, P. A., … Theuser, A.K. (2018). Self-reported improvement in side effects and quality of life with integrative medicine in breast cancer patients. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 17(3), 941–951.
  13. Horrigan, B., Lewis, S., Abrams, D. I. & Pechura, C. (2012). Integrative medicine in America—How integrative medicine is being practiced in clinical centers across the United States. Global Advances in Health and Medicine, 1(3), 18–94.
  14. Hunter, J., Majd, I., Kowalski, M., & Harnett, J. E. (2021). Interprofessional communication-A call for more education to ensure cultural competency in the context of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine. Global Advances in Health and Medicine, 10, 21649561211014107.
  15. Integrative medicine board certification eligibility requirements. American Board of Physician Specialties. https://www.abpsus.org/integrative-medicine-requirements/
  16. Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by the American Public. (2005). Complementary and alternative medicine in the United States. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 5, State of emerging evidence on CAM. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK83790/
  17. Kohl, W.K., Dobos, G., & Cramer, H. (2020). Conventional and complementary healthcare utilization among US adults with cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular risk factors: A nationally representative survey. Journal of the American Heart Association, 9(9), e014759.
  18. Lyu, H., Xu, T., Brotman, D., Mayer-Blackwell, B., Cooper, M., Daniel, M., Wick, E.C., … Makary, M.A. (2017). Overtreatment in the United States. PloS One, 12(9), e0181970.
  19. Manqiang, S., Chen, Q., Quanwang, M.M., Zhou, Q., Zhou, T., Wang, J., Duan, H., … Hu, K. (2020). Efficacy and safety of complementary and alternative medicine therapy for gastroparesis. Medicine, 99(47), e23294.
  20. Melzer, J., Deter, H.C., & Uehleke, B. (2013). CAM in psychiatry. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: eCAM, 2013, 293248.
  21. Millstein, D. (2021). Overview of integrative, complimentary, and alternative medicine. Merck Manual, Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/special-subjects/integrative,-complementary,-and-alternative-medicine/overview-of-integrative,-complementary,-and-alternative-medicine
  22. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2016). Are you considering a complementary health approach? https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/are-you-considering-a-complementary-health-approach
  23. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2022). 6 things to know when selecting a complementary health practitioner. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/tips/things-to-know-when-selecting-a-complementary-health-practitioner
  24. National Institute on Aging. (2020). 17 questions to ask when choosing a new doctor. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/17-questions-ask-when-choosing-new-doctor
  25. Parikh, M., Rajendran, I., D’Amico, S., Luo, M., & Gardiner, P. (2019). Characteristics and components of medical group visits for chronic health conditions: A systematic scoping review. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 25(7):683-698.
  26. Qaseem, A., Wilt, T.J., McLean, R.M., Forciea, M.A.; Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians, Denberg, T.D., Barry, M.J., … Vijan, S. (2017). Noninvasive treatments for acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain: A clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine, 166(7):514-530.
  27. Rees, L. & Weil, A. (2001). Integrated medicine. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 322(7279), 119–120.
  28. Riley, D.S., Anderson, R., Blair, J.C., Crouch, S., Meeker, W., Shannon, S., Sudak, N., … Low Dog, T. (2016). The Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine and the evolution of integrative medicine practice, education, and fellowships. Integrative Medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 15(1), 38–41.
  29. Seetharaman, M., Krishnan, G., & Schneider, R. H. (2021). The future of medicine: Frontiers in integrative health and medicine. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 57(12), 1303.
  30. Sierpina, V.S. & Dalen, J.E. (2013). The future of integrative medicine. The American Journal of Medicine, 126(8), 661-662.
  31. Stussman, B.J., Nahin, R.R., Barnes, P.M., & Ward, B.W. (2020). U.S. physician recommendations to their patients about the use of complementary health approaches. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.), 26(1), 25–33.
  32. Tai-Seale, M., McGuire, T.G., & Zhang, W. (2007). Time allocation in primary care office visits. Health Services Research, 42(5), 1871–1894.
  33. Vinita, A. (2018). Complementary and alternative medicine provider knowledge discourse on holistic health. Frontiers in Communications, 3.

  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Disclaimer

The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Prev Next
Back to main wellness blog page

Get more resources for your practice

Protocols
Practice resources
Ingredient library
Webinars

Share

  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Fullscript content philosophy

At Fullscript, we are committed to curating accurate, and reliable educational content for practitioners and patients alike. Our educational offerings cover a broad range of topics related to integrative medicine, such as supplement ingredients, diet, lifestyle, and health conditions.

Medically reviewed by expert practitioners and our internal Integrative Medical Advisory team, all Fullscript content adheres to the following guidelines:

  1. In order to provide unbiased and transparent education, information is based on a research review and obtained from trustworthy sources, such as peer-reviewed articles and government websites. All medical statements are linked to the original reference and all sources of information are disclosed within the article.
  2. Information about supplements is always based on ingredients. No specific products are mentioned or promoted within educational content.
  3. A strict policy against plagiarism is maintained; all our content is unique, curated by our team of writers and editors at Fullscript. Attribution to individual writers and editors is clearly stated in each article.
  4. Resources for patients are intended to be educational and do not replace the relationship between health practitioners and patients. In all content, we clearly recommend that readers refer back to their healthcare practitioners for all health-related questions.
  5. All content is updated on a regular basis to account for new research and industry trends, and the last update date is listed at the top of every article.
  6. Potential conflicts of interest are clearly disclosed.
Read more

The healthiest cookies you’ll choose today

Our website uses cookies to collect useful information that lets us and our partners support basic functionality, analyze visitor traffic, deliver a better user experience, and provide ads tailored to your interests. Agreeing to the use of cookies is your choice. Learn more

Fullscript logo

We're certified carbon-neutral. It's part of our commitment to helping people get better.

American flag - toggles to show american specific contentUnited States
Canadian flag - toggles to show canada specific contentCanada
Product
  • Practitioner software
  • Integrations
  • Pricing
  • Patients
  • Supplement quality
  • Treatment adherence
  • Catalog
  • Wholesale
Company
  • Spotlight
  • About Fullscript
  • Collective
  • Leadership
  • Culture guide
  • Careers
  • Engineering
  • News
Support
  • Practitioner support
  • Patient help
  • Testimonials
  • General FAQ
  • Patient shipping
  • Wholesale shipping

© Fullscript 2023. All rights reserved.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Customer Support Policy
  • Acceptable Use Policy
  • California Privacy Notice