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Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) also referred to as Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM) is a growing area of Health Services Research in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Veterans are interested in having access to CIH as a part of their VHA health care, continuing CIH therapies established before VHA enrollment or initiating new CIH approaches within VHA. The Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) service is interested in funding studies that examine the organization, delivery, and financing of CIH in VHA. This is especially true where there is sufficient evidence to support the efficacy, reliability, and safety of a CIH modality to improve the quality of healthcare for veterans, as noted from the perspectives of patients, caregivers, providers, and managers. Areas of focus include research on innovative methods to establish the efficacy of CIH approaches, comparative effectiveness research on CIH, and cost-effectiveness studies. Studies are encouraged that examine patient preferences for CIH therapies, work force preparation for the delivery of CIH, Veterans utilization of CIH within and outside the VA health care system, current incorporation of CIH in VHA clinical settings, barriers and facilitators of CIH in clinical practice within the VHA, and new methods of CIH implementation in VHA. The underlying objective of health services research in CIH/CIM is to understand and improve clinical decision-making and care, inform patients, provide additional treatment options to patients, evaluate changes in the health care system, and inform VA policymaking.
For general information about Complementary and Integrative Health, please contact:
Crystal Henderson, EdD
Scientific Portfolio Manager
Health Services Research and Development (14RDH)
Email: crystal.henderson1@va.gov