Utilizing Integrative Medicine in the U.S. Army Medical Department
Abstract
While it is praiseworthy that the Army has acknowledged the value of Integrative Medicine (IM) in its Pain Management Task Force Final Report (2010), its vision for this enabler remains limited. IM is seen as having a place only in specialty care; IM research, while ongoing, is not centrally directed; and the Office of the Surgeon General lacks a voice that can speak for IM. Since IM offers the ability to reduce health care costs and improve Soldier resiliency, Army Medicine needs a vision for IM that will enable its full potential. The Patient-Centered Medical Home concept offers an opportunity to integrate IM into primary care; and a Consultant to The Surgeon General could insure both that IM research moves in the directions that the enterprise needs, and that IM has a champion at the highest levels of the organization. Once a strategic vision is in place, the Army can fully utilize IM s ability to improve the care of its patients. The Army should also strongly consider a demonstration project of an IM-based clinic to prove this concept, and provide real-world cost and outcome data to guide further progress.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 15, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA568393
Entities
People
- Scott A. Arcand