Pediatric Integrative Medicine in Academia: Stanford Children's Experience.

Gautam Ramesh,Brenda Golianu,Dana Gerstbacher,Ann Ming Yeh,Jenna Arruda,John Mark

doi:10.3390/children5120168

Gautam Ramesh, Brenda Golianu + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/children5120168

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Abstract

Pediatric integrative medicine is an emerging field which, to date, has not been described in detail in academic medical centers in the United States. Early research of pediatric integrative medicine modalities shows promise for the treatment of common pediatric conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, acute and chronic pain, headache, and allergy, among others. In light of the growing prevalence of pediatric illnesses and patient complexity, it is crucial to emphasize the patient’s overall well-being. As academic centers around the world start to develop pediatric integrative medicine programs, the aim of this manuscript is to briefly highlight evidence of effective integrative treatments in pediatric subspecialties, to describe the establishment of our integrative medicine program, to summarize its early efforts, and to discuss potential barriers and keys to success.

Highlights

Integrative medicine (IM) is a patient-centric, evidence-based, therapeutic paradigm that coordinates the integration of all pertinent conventional and complementary approaches to achieve patient health
Pediatric Integrative Medicine is an emerging subspecialty that provides the foundation for whole-patient and whole-child preventative care and lifestyle medicine [44]
According to a national survey performed by the Centers for Disease Control, in 2009, 15.1% of all children in the United States had special health care needs, up from 12.8% in 2001 [137]

Summary

Introduction

Integrative medicine (IM) is a patient-centric, evidence-based, therapeutic paradigm that coordinates the integration of all pertinent conventional and complementary approaches to achieve patient health. Integrative medicine incorporates all appropriate therapies, emphasizes the patient–provider relationship, and utilizes lifestyle changes to holistically optimize health and healing [1]. It addresses the biologic, psychosocial, spiritual, and environmental aspects of patient wellbeing. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health clarifies definitions frequently used with integrative medicine: complementary medicine refers to using non-allopathic medicine in conjunction with conventional allopathic medical treatment, and alternative medicine refers to utilizing a non-allopathic therapy instead of a conventional allopathic treatment These two approaches are Children 2018, 5, 168; doi:10.3390/children5120168 www.mdpi.com/journal/children

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