On the integration of complementary and conventional medicine within health maintenance organizations

J Ambul Care Manage. 2004 Jan-Mar;27(1):43-52. doi: 10.1097/00004479-200401000-00006.

Abstract

The integration of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with conventional medicine continues across practice settings and modalities. Managed care is of particular interest to practitioners, policy makers, and researchers concerned with the evolution of CAM integration. Within health maintenance organizations (HMOs), availability, coverage, and support of CAM are variable. We present an organizational model within which we identify factors that influence the degree of CAM integration within HMOs. We describe avenues through which CAM is currently available within the Northwest Region of Kaiser Permanente (KPNW). We also describe research methods applicable to the study of CAM integration within HMOs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Complementary Therapies / organization & administration*
  • Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / organization & administration*
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Health Maintenance Organizations / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Models, Organizational
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
  • Technology Assessment, Biomedical
  • United States