CAM Profile
CAM Profile
Association Promotes Integrative Medicine
An integrative approach to health care is getting a push from an association that was formed in 2000. The American Association of Integrative Medicine (AAIM) was created to "bring together health care professionals from the complementary, alternative, and integrative disciplines," says Kelly Snider, chief association officer. "The purpose of AAIM is to provide healers, educators, and researchers from all specialties with a community of support, education, and communication in which they may share ideas and combine forces to increase the health and quality of life for individuals."
AAIM believes that the strength of a unified membership will secure the integrity, recognition, and legal status of which integrative medicine is worthy. Other beliefs include:
- "Healthy" means more than just the absence of disease. The human being is a fusion of body, mind, and spiritone dependent upon the other for optimal quality of life.
- The patient or client will benefit from the shared knowledge and better understanding among practitioners.
Health care seems to be recognizing the benefits of a unified approach, Snider says. "While traditional medicine has been a little slow in recognizing the benefits of alternative medicine, we continue to see not only a growing acceptance, but a growing collaboration among the traditional and non-traditional practitioners as well. As with anything that is perceived as outside of the norm, it takes time for acceptance. However, integrative medicine is becoming more and more common, as evidenced in part by our association and publications such as [Alternative Therapies in Women's Health]."
AAIM has several goals, according to its web site. These are:
- Create a professional support network to help members strengthen their practice.
- Provide a professional and scientific association for allied providers of diversified holistic medicine and health care.
- Advocate vigorously for higher standards of professional competence for members of the association.
- Promote the highest ethical standards for integrative health care.
- Provide continuing education opportunities.
- Develop public relations efforts to educate the public, legislators, and insurance companies on the benefits and advantages of integrative medicine.
- Encourage research testing the effectiveness of integrative medical techniques.
- Cultivate respect and collegiality for alternative approaches to health care and its providers.
- Provide a democratic forum for providers of integrative health care.
There has been a positive response to the association, Snider says. "Our members span a very large range of integrative medicine, including naturopathic, chiropractic, quantum biofeedback, nutrition, and many others too numerous to list."
AAIM helps members keep up-to-date with issues affecting their practices, as well as opportunities to network with others in integrative medicine. Other benefits include:
- Conferences
- Advocacy for legislation promoting third-party payment for integrative medicine
- Discounts for seminars, conferences, and continuing education opportunities
- Ability to attain the Fellow of Diplomate status
- Access to JAAIM on-line, the on-line journal for AAIM
"Our National Conference is open to non-members, members, and vendors," Snider says. "This provides an opportunity to network, learn about various techniques, and earn continuing education credits."
Organizers have publicized the association through direct mail, advertisements, and referrals from existing members. For more information, visit AAIM's web site at http://aaimedicine.com.
Association promotes integrative medicine. Altern Ther Womens Health 2006;8(2):16.Subscribe Now for Access
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