Integrative medicine – healthy ageing

Integrative Medicine is defined as a post-modern healing-oriented medicine that reaffirms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient. All appropriate therapeutic approaches, both conventional and alternative/complimentary informed by evidence are explored with a focus on the whole person (body, mind and spirit). To achieve optimal health the principles of Functional Medicine needs to be applied to address the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented approach and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership [1]. In the South African context Integrative Medicine includes modern Western (allopathic) medicine, various recognized alternative and complementary models, traditional healers, lifestyle medicine, functional medicine, and the therapeutic doctor/patient relationship. Integrative healthcare services demand interprofessional collaboration between bio-medically trained doctors and traditional, complementary and alternative practitioners to facilitate the process. The main reason for developing integrative healthcare was the increased demand for holistic care from patients. The doctor is expected to provide care that is patient-centered and comprehensive by incorporating high-tech genomic information, systems biology, and functional medicine into routine clinical practice. The doctor of the future will become an integrative healer whose practice differs in many ways from that of today’s typical physician. Patients will increasingly take responsibility for their own health, with medical care focused more extensively on preventing disease and injury.