What is Integrative Medicine?

The Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health has developed the following definition: "Integrative medicine and health reaffirms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient, focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence-based science, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic and lifestyle approaches, healthcare and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing.".[7] Advocates say that integrative medicine is not the same as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)[1][8] nor is it simply the combination of conventional medicine with complementary and alternative medicine.[2] They say instead that it "emphasizes wellness and healing of the entire person (bio-psycho-socio-spiritual dimensions) as primary goals, drawing on both conventional and CAM approaches in the context of a supportive and effective physician-patient relationship".[2]