ACIH Publications

AIHM, with the collaboration of the ACIH working group task force, was able to mount a response to the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute National Priorities and Research Agenda.  We would like to thank our task force team; Patrick J. Battaglia, DC, DACBR, Elisa Cotroneo, RSME/T, Kathleen Greenough, DACM, Beth Howlett, DAOM, LAc, Catherine Justice, PT, DPT, C-IAYT, E-RYT, YACEP, CST, Diane Mastnardo, BS, LMT and Bill Meeker, DC, MPH, for all of their help in formulating this response.

NCCIH Strategic Plan Engagement with Stakeholders and Our Role in it ACIH formed a task force, led by Deb Hill, MS, Working Groups Manager, to work on the organizational comment for the NCCIH RFI for the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan. The task force members were Belinda (Beau) Anderson LAc, PhD, Elisa Cotroneo, RSME/T, Stanley Dawson, DC, LMBT, Christa Louise, MS, PhD, William C. Meeker, DC, MPH, Niki Munk PhD, LMT, Elisabeth Osgood-Campbell, MA, EdM, RSME, Lisa Taylor-Swanson, MAcOM, PhD and John Weeks. Two responses were submitted, one in July of 2020 and a second response to the draft plan in March of 2021.

Fostering Interprofessional Awareness and Collaboration Among Integrative Health and Medicine Organizations (2019) Beth Rosenthal, MPH, MBA, PhD, Heather Carrie, MAS, Sivarama Prasad Vinjamury, MD (Ayruveda), MAOM, MPH, Deborah Hughes-Ndao, MPH, Daniel Gallego-Perez, MD, DrPH (c), Natalia S. Aldana-Martinez, MD, MSc. The intent of this visual is to cultivate awareness of each organization's distinct mission and goals, and enhance visibility among health care users, policy makers, educators, practitioners, and the general public. This collaborative resource is intended to be a launching point for building bridges towards enhanced coordination and partnerships.

Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) among Complementary and Integrative health (CIH) Providers (2019) Anthony J. Lisi, DC, Beth Rosenthal, MPH, MBA, PhD and Hannah Gravrand, DC, MS investigate aspects of IPC occurring in a sample of CIH providers in a qualitative health services study using semi-structured interviews. For a summary of their work click here. Study results published in Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice, Volume 15, June 2019, Pages 70-74: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xjep.2019.02.007

Moving Beyond Medications: Non-Pharmacological Approaches to Pain Management and Well-Being (2017) A one-page document of recommendations for patients and clinicians on non-pharmacological approaches to treating pain, written in response to the current opioid crisis. Written and jointly approved by ACIH, the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health, the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine, and Integrative Health Policy Consortium.

ACIH Hospital Based Massage Therapy (HBMT) Competencies for Optimal Practice in Integrated Environments 
HBMT specific competencies developed by the ACIH HBMT task force with input from approximately 40 individuals associated with HBMT programs.  These competencies include some of the ACIH Competencies most relevant to HBMT and additional competencies that specifically address practical issues relevant to HBMT practice. For more information about the development of these competencies, visit Hospital Based Massage Therapy (HBMT) Competencies Discussion (September 2016) , Hospital Based Massage Therapy (HBMT) (September 2016) , and Hospital Based Massage Therapy . To download the ACIH HBMT Competencies, click here.

Credentialing Licensed Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Professionals for
Practice in Healthcare Organizations: An Overview and Guidance for Hospital Administrators, Acupuncturists and Educators (October 2016) Weeks, Goldblatt, Gomes, Majd & Ward-Cook
This paper was written as part of a project of ACIH with the strategic sponsorship of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM®); it offers resources to assist AOM educators, students and practitioners interested in working in conventional medicine environments and in collaborative team-based, patient-centered care clinics.

Project for Inter-Institutional Education Relationships (PIERs) Report (March 2016)  Boesch, Hogue, Howlett, Lisi, Sackett, Zeifman, Rosenthal
The purpose of the Project for Inter-Institutional Education Relationships (PIERs) is to foster optimal inter-institutional and interprofessional relationships that bridge the gaps in education and practice between the distinct integrative health and medicine (IHM) agencies and institutions, and between these and other healthcare agencies and organizations.  This project highlights examples of inter-institutional experiences and shares resources for fostering inter-institutional relationships.

Post-Graduate Training (PGT) Paper (September 2015)
Post-Graduate Training (PGT) Brief Update (August 2016) 
Prenguber, Henriksen, Boesch, Berkshire, Regan, McLean, Whitridge, Rosenthal
The purpose of this paper is to report on the status of residencies/PGT, e.g., how they are managed, what organizations are involved, guidelines on how to start programs, and to provide ideas for increasing opportunities in IHM fields. The authors found that there are significant variations in PGTs among the IHM disciplines, and where there are opportunities, there is a shortage of number and types of opportunities. Having more residencies/PGTs in general, and more specifically in integrated settings, available for IHM graduates will help interprofessional practices, providing more opportunities for experiences with professionals from a variety of disciplines. This is meant to be a living document and brief updates will be posted on the ACIH website periodically.

Consensus Recommendations to NCCIH from Research Faculty in a Transdisciplinary Academic Consortium for Complementary and Integrative Health and Medicine (July 2015) Menard, Weeks, Andersen, et al., The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Members of ACIH’s Research Working Group co-authored a study of NIH investment in CIM institutions from 2010-2014. Based on data taken from the NIH RePORT database, RWG members made recommendations to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health for their 2016-2020 strategic plan regarding the need for continued investment in CIM institutions to build research capacity and create research infrastructure. 

The Extent of Interprofessional Education in the Clinical Training of Integrated Health and Medicine Students: A Survey of Educational Institutions (March 2015) Rosenthal and Lisi, Topics in Integrative Health Care
Rosenthal and Lisi conducted a survey to assess the extent and characteristics of interprofessional education (IPE) in the clinical training of students at accredited programs, colleges and universities of the licensed integrative health and medicine disciplines. There was much variation in the reported amount of IPE and the particular disciplines engaged in IPE activities with other disciplines during clinical training. Across all disciplines, multidisciplinary institutions generally reported more IPE in clinical training than single discipline institutions. 

A Qualitative Analysis of Various Definitions of Integrative Medicine and Health (December 2014) Rosenthal and Lisi, Topics in Integrative Health Care
This article by Beth Rosenthal, PhD, MPH, MBA and Anthony Lisi, DC, analyzes the components of various integrative medicine-related definitions published by a range of well-known sources. A group of eleven themes emerged. The most common elements included whole person focus, evidence-informed, optimal health/wellness, and combination of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with conventional medicine. Differences existed with respect to terms such as modality/therapy versus profession/discipline. The themes described may be relevant to clarify discussion of future research and policy efforts. The work was supported by a generous investment from the Leo S. Guthman Fund.

Never Only Opioids: The Imperative for Early Integration of Non-Pharmacological Approaches and Practitioners in the Treatment of Patients with Pain (September 2014) Menard, Nielsen, Tick, Meeker, Wilson, Weeks and Co-Editor, Richard Payne
This policy brief is a product of PAINS in collaboration with ACIH (formerly ACCAHC) and the Center for Practical Bioethics. ACIH participation was funded by an unrestricted grant from the NCMIC Foundation. It documents multiple shifts in health care that support this transformation from “last resort” to “early use” of non-pharmacological approaches and practitioners. The Affordable Care Act includes an unprecedented level of inclusion of licensed complementary and alternative medicine practitioners. The policy paper is also connected to a set of 13 Policy Recommendations: three each for research funders, educators and federal agencies, and four for those in healthcare delivery.

ACIH White Paper: Meeting the Nation's Primary Care Needs (December 2013) Goldstein and Weeks, eds., ACIH
This project, engaged with Michael Goldstein, PhD, of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, examines the current and prospective roles of doctors of chiropractic, naturopathic physicians, doctors and practitioners of acupuncture and Oriental medicine and direct entry midwives in meeting nation's primary care needs.

Clinicians' and Educators' Desk Reference (2013) Goldblatt, Snider, Rosenthal, et al, ACIH
This 2nd edition guide to the 5 licensed complementary and alternative healthcare professions, written by vetted experts, is a desk reference for clinicians and a textbook and resource for educators and students. Also included is information on emerging fields of traditional world medicines, holistic nursing and holistic and integrative medicine.

Establishing Transdisciplinary Professionalism for Improving Health Outcomes: Workshop Summary; Section II-5, The Case for Integrating Health, Well-Being, and Self-Care into Health Professional Education (May 2013) Kreitzer and Goldblatt, Institute of Medicine

Competencies for Public Health and Interprofessional Education in Accreditation Standards of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Disciplines (2013) Brett, Brimhall, Healey, et al.,Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing

Competencies for Optimal Practice in Integrated Environments: Examining Attributes of a Consensus Interprofessional Practice Document from the Licensed Integrative Health Disciplines (2013) Goldblatt, Wiles, Schwartz, et al., Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing

Exploration of Integrated Clinical Services Delivered at Accredited Complementary and Alternative Healthcare Academic Institutions: Examination of Integration Related Terms (2012) Rosenthal and Lisi. International Congress for Educators in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Georgetown, Washington D.C

ACCAHC - NCCAM Correspondence 2009-2011 ACIH Research Working Group
From October 2009-February 2011, the ACIH (then ACCAHC) Research Working Group led an active ACIH communication with the NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH, then NCCA) on the development of the agency's 2011-2015 Strategic Plan. This entailed clarifying shared priorities that supported ACIH's mission of enhancing patient care.

Response to a Proposal for an Integrative Medicine Curriculum (2007) Benjamin, Phillips, Warren, et al., Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Survey of MDs/Administrators of Integrative Clinics to Gather Information on Competencies of Licensed Acupuncturists for Practice in Hospitals, Integrated Centers and Other Conventional Healthcare Settings (2007) Weeks, Snider, Goldblatt, et al. National Education Dialogue to Advance Integrated Health Care, Academic Consortium for Complementary and Alternative Health Care
This survey and interview process was engaged with conventional medical doctors and, in one case, a board certified holistic nurse (RN, HN-BC) to explore the competencies of AOM practitioners which they had hired in order. The project focus was to determine those factors which best support AOM practitioners playing an optimal role in patient care in these settings.

Survey of Licensed Acupuncturists to Gather Information on Competencies for Practice in Hospitals, Integrated Centers and Other Conventional Healthcare Settings (2007) Weeks, Snider, Goldblatt, et al. National Education Dialogue to Advance Integrated Health Care, Academic Consortium for Complementary and Alternative Health Care
This survey and interview process was engaged to explore the competencies of AOM practitioners which best support their playing an optimal role in patient care in these settings. A three page survey was developed with reviews from two multi-disciplinary teams. Survey sections focuses on identifying useful training and quantifying the importance of a set of 25 topics in a session to prepare AOM practitioners.

Progress Report - National Education Dialogue to Advance Integrated Health Care: Creating Common Ground (2005) Weeks, Snider, et al. with the Integrative Healthcare Policy Consortium. National Education Dialogue Planning Committee

Survey on Inter-institutional and Interprofessional Relationships of Accredited Complementary and Alternative Medicine Schools and Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine Programs (2005) Weeks, Kligler, Qiao, et al., Academic Consortium for Complementary and Alternative Health Care

External Publications of Interest

The links listed below are to publications written outside the auspices of ACIH, but may be of interest to those seeking general resources in topics such as interprofessional education and integrative health.

The Role of Accreditation in Achieving the Quadruple Aim (2017) Cox, Bloin, Cuf, et al. A Global Forum discussion paper

Defining Community-Engaged Health Professional Education: A Step Toward Building the Evidence (2017) Palsdottir,  Briggs, Clithero, et al. A Global Forum discussion paper

Breaking a Culture of Silence: The Role of State Medical Boards (2017) Hengerer and Kishore.  A Global Forum discussion paper

Breaking Silence, Breaking Stigma (2017) Salwan and Kishore. A Global Forum discussion paper

100 Days of Rain: A Reflection on the Limits of Physician Resilience (2017) Miguel Paniagua.  A Global Forum discussion paper

Exploring a Business Case for High-Value Continuing Professional Development: Proceedings of a Workshop (2017) Summation of discussion at a Global Forum on Innovation in Health Professional Education workshop on Continuing Professional Development

Moving Beyond Medications: Non-Pharmacological Approaches to Pain Management and Well-Being (2017) A one-page document of recommendations for patients and clinicians on non-pharmacological approaches to treating pain, written in response to the current opioid crisis. Written and jointly approved by ACIH, the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health, the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine, and Integrative Health Policy Consortium.

A Multifaceted Systems Approach to Addressing Stress Within Health Professions Education and Beyond (2017) Coffey, Eliot, Goldblatt, et al. A National Academy of Medicine discussion paper.

Promoting Well-being in Psychology Graduate Students at the Individual and Systems Level (2017) Grus, Bodner, Kallaugher, et al. A Global Forum discussion paper

Stress-Induced Eating Behaviors of Health Professionals: A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Perspective (2017)
Eliot and Kolasa. A Global Forum discussion paper

Burnout, Stress, and Compassion Fatigue in Occupational Therapy Practice and Education: A Call for Mindful, Self-Care Protocols (2017) Zeman and Harvison. A Global Forum discussion paper

Addressing Burnout, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation in the Osteopathic Profession: An Approach That Spans the Physician Life Cycle (2017) Piccinini, McRae, Becher, et al.  A Global Forum discussion paper

Future Financial Economics of Health Professional Education: Proceedings of a Workshop (2016) Summary of discussion at a Global Forum workshop designed to explore resources for financing health professional education in high-, middle-, and low-income countries.

Breaking the Culture of Silence on Physician Suicide (2016) Kishore, Dandurand, Mathew, and Rothenberger. A Global Forum discussion paper

I Felt Alone but I Wasn't: Depression Is Rampant Among Doctors in Training (2016) Poorman and Kishore. A Global Forum discussion paper

Exploring the Role of Accreditation in Enhancing Quality and Innovation in Health Professions Education: Proceedings of a Workshop (2016) This workshop explored global shifts in society, health, health care, and education, and their potential effects on general principles of program accreditation across the continuum of health professional education

A Framework for Educating Health Professionals to Address the Social Determinants of Health (2016) Committee on Educating Health Professionals to Address the Social Determinants of Health, Global Forum on Innovation in Health Professional Education, National Academy of Medicine Health and Medicine Division

Interprofessional Competencies in Integrative Primary Healthcare (2015) Kligler, Brooks, Maizes, Goldblatt, et al. Global Advances for Health & Medicine Journal, September 2015, Vol. 4 #5.

Measuring the Impact of Interprofessional Education (IPE) on Collaborative Practice and Patient Outcomes (2015) Committee on Measuring the Impact of Interprofessional Education on Collaborative Practice and Patient Outcomes, Global Forum on Innovation in Health Professional Education, National Academy of Medicine Health and Medicine Division

Envisioning the Future of Health Professional Education: Workshop Summary (2015) Patricia A. Cuff, Rapporteur, Global Forum on Innovation in Health Professional Education, National Academy of Medicine Health and Medicine Division

Empowering Women and Strengthening Health Systems and Services through Investing in Nursing and Midwifery Enterprise: Lessons from Lower-Income Countries (2015) Patricia A. Cuff, Deepali M. Patel, and Megan M. Perez, Rapporteurs, Global Forum on Innovation in Health Professional Education Forum on Public–Private Partnerships for Global Health and Safety, National Academy of Medicine Health and Medicine Division

Finding a Common Language: Resolving the Town and Gown Tension in Moving Toward Evidence-Informed Practice (2014) Ben Kligler, MD, MPH, and John Weeks, Explore

Building Health Workforce Capacity Through Community-based Health Professional Education (2014) Patricia A. Cuff, Rapporteur, Global Forum on Innovation in Health Professional Education, National Academy of Medicine Health and Medicine Division

Assessing Health Professional Education (2013) Patricia A. Cuff, Rapporteur, Global Forum on Innovation in Health Professional Education, National Academy of Medicine Health and Medicine Division

Establishing Transdisciplinary Professionalism for Improving Health Outcomes (2013) Patricia A. Cuff, Rapporteur, Global Forum on Innovation in Health Professional Education, National Academy of Medicine Health and Medicine Division

Interprofessional Education for Collaboration: Learning How to Improve Health from Interprofessional Models across the Continuum of Education to Practice (2013) Patricia A. Cuff, Rapporteur, Global Forum on Innovation in Health Professional Education, National Academy of Medicine Health and Medicine Division