Evidence-informed integrative care systems—The way forward

IntroductionThe concept of integrative medicine/care – often referred to as the new medicine – typically signifies a sound combination of safe and effective ancient traditional medicine or complementary and alternative medicine, and state-of-the-art conventional medicine. In this opinion article, we draw on a decade of research and development including our own experiences in low-, middle- and high-income countries, by means of qualitative and quantitative research approaches, and explore trends vital to the development of evidence-informed integrative care and communication systems.DiscussionProponents suggest that an integrative health care system with a diversity of therapeutic options – and no particular differentiation between any evidence-informed health care paradigms – might be the best way to revitalize health care and reduce societal health care costs. Opponents argue – based on reasoning common to followers of scientism – that such developments constitute pseudoscience and will effectively overburden the healthcare system. Integrating insights from medicine, the humanities, ethics and philosophy in a health care model, which combines high-tech conventional health care with ancient health care systems and therapies, with the aim to achieve a pluralistic, accessible, affordable, safe and effective health system is clearly a challenge, but one which in fact has been recommended by the Director General of the WHO.ConclusionTo maintain a polarized situation in the light of the growing demand for person-centred health care services, is unhelpful to nations and patients alike, detrimental to therapeutic relationships and may even occasionally be dangerous.