How Primary Care Physicians Utilize Integrative Medicine

Integrative MedicineAny consideration of how Integrative Medicine is utilized by primary care physicians should begin with a definition. The American Board of Integrative Medicine® (ABOIM) and the Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine define it as the practice of medicine that reaffirms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient, focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, healthcare professionals, and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing.

There is, perhaps, no more important relationship between patient and physician than that of the primary care physician with her or his patient. This relationship is focused on prevention and health maintenance, as well as on treatment of occasional illnesses and injuries. The dynamic goes hand-in-hand with the tenets of Integrative Medicine, which include:

  • A partnership between the patient and the practitioner
  • Consideration of all factors that influence health, wellness, disease – including mind, body and spirit
  • Use of conventional and alternative methods to facilitate the body’s innate healing response
  • Appropriate consideration given to use of less-invasive and less-harmful interventions, when possible, while addressing the whole person in addition to the specific disease.
  • The concept that medicine is based on good science, is inquiry-driven and open to critical consideration of new paradigms

The “whole person” concept of medical care is uniquely suited for the primary care physician-patient relationship. In an ideal world, every patient would have a trusted physician to turn to and rely on, a medical expert who is every bit as concerned with keeping patients healthy as with treating disease and injury. A primary care physician who practices Integrative Medicine focuses on building a relationship with the patient, a relationship based on trust and the mutual goal of physical, mental and emotional wellness.

To learn more about Integrative Medicine and the ABOIM, contact the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS®). The ABPS is the official multi-specialty board-certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc.

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The American Board of Physician Specialties has provided me with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of internal medicine through board certification. As a hospitalist, board certification is an expected credential, and hospitals recognize the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) as one of the three standard credentialling bodies for Internal Medicine. Additionally, the ABPS has helped me develop leadership skills as a Board member and Committee Chairperson. ABPS has also helped me sharpen critical thinking skills as a test question developer and reviewer. The Allopathic (MD) and Osteopathic (DO) physicians in the ABPS are lifelong learners and frequently pursue multiple board certifications. I enjoy the camaraderie of my peers in ABPS.

Loren Jay Chassels, DO
Internal Medicine
When I think historically, advancement in medicine and patient safety and care has been driven by the diversity of people and scientific thought. That’s what I found at the ABPS and more. For over 60 years that is just who we are. I found a physician certifying body that provides a choice and voice to all physicians ensuring that patients are always placed first.

Jerry Allison, MD
Emergency Medicine
When I decided to pursue a full time role as a physician executive it was important to me to obtain additional professional training, education and work experience. Board certification through the ABPS in Administrative Medicine is validation of my efforts and a demonstration of dedication to professional development. We need more physicians to become full time health care executives, knowing there is a board certification option in Administrative Medicine encourages physicians to take the leap from full time clinical practice to healthcare organizational leadership.

Richard Paula, MD
Administrative Medicine