Text
Instructional Level: Intermediate

Author

Introduction to Complementary Health Approaches and Integrative Health in Occupational Therapy

Delivery Type
$33

Description:

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) identifies health and wellness as a key practice area in the 21st century for improving health outcomes and quality of life (AOTA, 2020). CHAIH falls within this area to support occupations and to promote health, wellness, and disease prevention across all areas of OT and the life span. The United States health care system has primarily addressed the “disease and illness” or biomedical model, rather than promoting health or prevention of disease (Feldman, 2016; Rocca & Anjum, 2020). However, dissatisfaction with conventional medicine focusing on disease is the force towards health promotion and preventative services. 

For years, some approaches that are now considered to be complementary have been utilized in occupational therapy, including guided imagery, massage, meditation, and yoga to address pain, promote relaxation for restorative sleep, increase participation in meaningful occupations, and improve quality of life (Advance, 2016). This basic course will define complementary health approaches and integrative health (CHAIH) and describe how to incorporate these approaches with the occupational therapy process, according to the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, 4th Edition (AOTA, 2020c). Additionally, this basic introductory course will describe common complementary approaches for enhancing occupational therapy practice while addressing the contraindications, precautions, and cultural, and ethical considerations. Further continuing education and training in complementary health approaches is required to ensure service competency for Occupational Therapy Practitioners. 

Full Course Description
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) identifies health and wellness as a key practice area in the 21st century for improving health outcomes and quality of life (AOTA, 2020). CHAIH falls within this area to support occupations and to promote health, wellness, and disease prevention across all areas of OT and the life span. The United States health care system has primarily addressed the “disease and illness” or biomedical model, rather than promoting health or...

Goals & Objectives:

Course Goals:

Although ancient practices such as yoga, botanicals, acupuncture, tai chi, and meditation are considered unconventional or alternative medicine in mainstream healthcare, these therapies have been practiced for centuries in many parts of the world (Mordeniz, 2019). It is estimated that 80% of the world’s population living in the developing world rely on herbal medicinal products as a primary source of healthcare and traditional medical practice viewed as an integral part of the culture in those communities (Ekor, 2014). Traditional Medicine (TM), also known also as ethno-medicine, folk medicine or indigenous healing is the oldest form of a health care system as an ancient and culture-bound method of healing for humans to address various diseases. Different societies have evolved divergent forms of indigenous healing methods such as Chinese, Indian, Native American, South American, and African traditional medicines (Mordeniz, 2019). 

It should be noted that terminology in this content area is inconsistent among sources as terms continue to change as this area evolves. The broad scope of complementary health approaches including the numerous healthcare professionals and practitioners who deliver them create challenges in agreeing upon an adequate definition capturing the large scope of this field (Snyder & Lindquist, 2018). Formerly known as Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), the current term complementary health approaches (CHA) refer to products, practices, and services outside the domain of allopathic, also known as conventional, Western, or mainstream medicine (de Mederios & Saad, 2012). These approaches are also referred to as Integrative Medicine, Integrative Health, or Holistic Health (Vadnais, 2021). Complementary health approaches encompass a diverse and broad range of practices, services, and products (de Mederios & Saad, 2012). Healthcare that combines CHA with conventional medicine becomes complementary health approaches and integrative health (CHAIH) (de Medeiros & Saad, 2012, Snyder & Lindquist, 2018). 

Furthermore, the distinctions between CHA and conventional medicine are constantly evolving since interventions such as breathing techniques for pain management during childbirth, once considered unconventional have received greater acceptance (de Medeiros & Saad, 2012). Global influences through migration and travel have increased health professionals’ awareness of multi-cultural health practices. As these practices from indigenous cultures or other healing systems demonstrate efficacy and safety, the landscape of complementary and integrative health perpetually changes (Snyder & Lindquist, 2018). 

Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of this course, the learner will be able to: 

  • Define the terms allopathic (conventional), alternative, complementary, and integrative health. 
  • Identify the role of complementary health approaches within the scope of Occupational Therapy practice. 
  • Describe how occupational Therapy practitioners can incorporate common complementary health approaches to enhance client outcomes. 
  • Apply the use of complementary health approaches within the OTPF-4; Practice Framework for Occupational Therapy Health Promotion. 
  • Explain the benefits, contraindications, and precautions for the use of select complementary health approaches when incorporated into Occupational Therapy. 

 

Goals & Objectives:

Course Goals:

Although ancient practices such as yoga, botanicals, acupuncture, tai chi, and meditation are considered unconventional or alternative medicine in mainstream healthcare, these therapies have been practiced for centuries in many parts of the world (Mordeniz, 2019). It is estimated that 80% of the world’s population living in the developing world rely on herbal medicinal products as a primary source of healthcare and traditional medical practice viewed as an integral part of the culture in those communities (Ekor, 2014). Traditional Medicine (TM), also known also as ethno-medicine, folk medicine or indigenous healing is the oldest form of a health care system as an ancient and culture-bound method of healing for humans to address various diseases. Different societies have evolved divergent forms of indigenous healing methods such as Chinese, Indian, Native American, South American, and African traditional medicines (Mordeniz, 2019). 

It should be noted that terminology in this content area is inconsistent among sources as terms continue to change as this area evolves. The broad scope of complementary health approaches including the numerous healthcare professionals and practitioners who deliver them create challenges in agreeing upon an adequate definition capturing the large scope of this field (Snyder & Lindquist, 2018). Formerly known as Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), the current term complementary health approaches (CHA) refer to products, practices, and services outside the domain of allopathic, also known as conventional, Western, or mainstream medicine (de Mederios & Saad, 2012). These approaches are also referred to as Integrative Medicine, Integrative Health, or Holistic Health (Vadnais, 2021). Complementary health approaches encompass a diverse and broad range of practices, services, and products (de Mederios & Saad, 2012). Healthcare that combines CHA with conventional medicine becomes complementary health approaches and integrative health (CHAIH) (de Medeiros & Saad, 2012, Snyder & Lindquist, 2018). 

Furthermore, the distinctions between CHA and conventional medicine are constantly evolving since interventions such as breathing techniques for pain management during childbirth, once considered unconventional have received greater acceptance (de Medeiros & Saad, 2012). Global influences through migration and travel have increased health professionals’ awareness of multi-cultural health practices. As these practices from indigenous cultures or other healing systems demonstrate efficacy and safety, the landscape of complementary and integrative health perpetually changes (Snyder & Lindquist, 2018). 

Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of this course, the learner will be able to: 

  • Define the terms allopathic (conventional), alternative, complementary, and integrative health. 
  • Identify the role of complementary health approaches within the scope of Occupational Therapy practice. 
  • Describe how occupational Therapy practitioners can incorporate common complementary health approaches to enhance client outcomes. 
  • Apply the use of complementary health approaches within the OTPF-4; Practice Framework for Occupational Therapy Health Promotion. 
  • Explain the benefits, contraindications, and precautions for the use of select complementary health approaches when incorporated into Occupational Therapy. 

 

Disclosures:

TEXT COURSE

Text courses are viewed on your web browser if the online version is purchased, or sent via mail if the physical copy is purchased.

Contact Hours: 2 contact hours in length (check your state’s approval status in the state specific course catalog for your profession).

Target Audience:  Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapist Assistant

Instructional Level: Intermediate.

Criteria for Completion: A score of 75% or more is considered passing. Scores of less than 75% indicate a failure to understand the material and the test will need to be taken again until a passing score has been achieved.

If you require special accommodations, please contact Colibri Healthcare Support by visiting our Contact Us page (https://www.homeceuconnection.com/contact-us/) or by using the chat functionality. 

Personnel Disclosure:

Financial – Carol Myers is employed and receives a salary. She receives payment from Colibri Healthcare, LLC for the presentation of this course.

Nonfinancial - no relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.

No relevant conflicts of interest exist for any member of the activity planning committee.

Content Disclosure: This course does not focus solely on any specific product or service

Cancellation Policy: For activity cancellation, returns, or complaint resolution, please contact us by email help@homeceu.com or by phone at 1.800.55.4CEUS (2387). We have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Refunds will be issued for courses that have not been completed (exam not taken), or for any course that has been rejected by your board of approval. Webinar attendance must be canceled 24 hours before the scheduled start time.

Disclosures:

TEXT COURSE

Text courses are viewed on your web browser if the online version is purchased, or sent via mail if the physical copy is purchased.

Contact Hours: 2 contact hours in length (check your state’s approval status in the state specific course catalog for your profession).

Target Audience:  Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapist Assistant

Instructional Level: Intermediate.

Criteria for Completion: A score of 75% or more is considered passing. Scores of less than 75% indicate a failure to understand the material and the test will need to be taken again until a passing score has been achieved.

If you require special accommodations, please contact Colibri Healthcare Support by visiting our Contact Us page (https://www.homeceuconnection.com/contact-us/) or by using the chat functionality. 

Personnel Disclosure:

Financial – Carol Myers is employed and receives a salary. She receives payment from Colibri Healthcare, LLC for the presentation of this course.

Nonfinancial - no relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.

No relevant conflicts of interest exist for any member of the activity planning committee.

Content Disclosure: This course does not focus solely on any specific product or service

Cancellation Policy: For activity cancellation, returns, or complaint resolution, please contact us by email help@homeceu.com or by phone at 1.800.55.4CEUS (2387). We have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Refunds will be issued for courses that have not been completed (exam not taken), or for any course that has been rejected by your board of approval. Webinar attendance must be canceled 24 hours before the scheduled start time.