The integrative care model is rooted in a biopsychosocial approach. Integrative
is a term which refers to increasing the harmony and coherence of your whole
being, and integrative care is therefore focused on the person, not on either
the disease or a therapy. It is provided collaboratively by a health team
comprising physicians, psychologists, physiotherapists, acupuncturists, and
meditation, nutrition, and floral therapy. Previous studies have demonstrated
that interventions based on the integrative care model improved womens lifestyle
and quality of life. Our aim was to describe the use of complementary and
alternative medicine (CAM) alongside traditional medicine among women with sleep
conditions in our Womens Sleep Disorders Integrative Treatment Outpatient
Clinic. We are sharing our experiences and clinical practice as the model we
developed seems to have both physical and psychological benefits for women with
sleep problems. We discuss the wide range of benefits that result from this type
of complex intervention, and the contextual factors that may influence these
benefits. This will inform future practitioners and we hope to contribute to
quantitative research in the clinical setting. The study highlights the
importance of treating sleep complaints with a caring relationship and a CAM
approach, alongside conventional medicine. Exploration of the lived experience
of CAM and its meaning enables healthcare professionals to gain insights into
the patients needs, preferences, and values. Gynecologists, clinicians, and
health care providers should support and guide patients in their decision to use
CAM by providing evidence-based and comprehensive advice on the potential
benefits, risks and related safety issues of this approach.
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