Complementary And Integrative Health Approaches In Veteran Affairs

Abstract

Complementary and integrative health (CIH) includes a broad range of treatment interventions or activities that fall outside of typical clinical practice or conventional medicine and promote overall health and well-being (yoga, meditation, tai chi, etc.). Literature supports an increased prevalence of life-altering illnesses, injuries, and diagnoses among our veteran population. Therefore, it is important to help clinicians stay up to date with best practice to enhance overall health and promote well-being. The purpose of this study is to explore the types of CIH treatment approaches occupational therapy (OT) practitioners working in Veteran Affairs (VA) utilize and how they incorporate them into their treatment planning. The study will also assess OT practitioner’s current knowledge of CIH and how often services are being delivered within the VA. An exploratory, quantitative, survey-based, design will be utilized. Participants will include OT practitioner’s who currently or previously worked within VA facilities across New England.