[Integrative Medicine Studies as Part of a Specialization in Family Medicine - Is it Time to Expand the Circle of Learners?].

Integrative medicine reaffirms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient, focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic and lifestyle approaches, healthcare professionals and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing. This incorporates a combination of conventional (allopathic) medicine and complementary medicine approaches that have demonstrated safety and effectiveness. The two main components of integrative medicine studies are the understanding and application of the inclusive approach and familiarity with the variety of frequently used complementary treatments and the practitioners in those fields. With the integration of Chinese medicine and other complementary medical approaches in the Western world and the accumulation of research in these fields, the need to become familiar with them arose. About 15 years ago, the necessity to make the topic of integrative medicine accessible to specialists in family medicine was raised. Family medicine is the primary care approach that deals with prevention, treatment and coordination between primary and secondary medicine. Evidently, those doctors are expected to be the first to adopt this extensive approach. Since 2010, the course has been an obligatory part of the family medicine interns' curriculum at Tel Aviv University. Acquaintance with integrative medicine and its uses needs to be part of the education of interns in family medicine in an in-depth manner and in all different specialties, each in its relevant usage.