The future of integrative health and medicine in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is witnessing a healthcare transformation to face the challenges of the increased burden of noncommunicable diseases and to maintain the quality of healthcare services. However, in Saudi Arabia, where low back and neck pain, depressive disorders, migraine, diabetes, and anxiety disorder...

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Main Authors: Mohamed K.M. Khalil, Sulaiman Al-Eidi, Meshary Al-Qaed, Saud AlSanad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2018-12-01
Series:Integrative Medicine Research
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213422018301690
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author Mohamed K.M. Khalil
Sulaiman Al-Eidi
Meshary Al-Qaed
Saud AlSanad
author_facet Mohamed K.M. Khalil
Sulaiman Al-Eidi
Meshary Al-Qaed
Saud AlSanad
author_sort Mohamed K.M. Khalil
collection DOAJ
description Saudi Arabia is witnessing a healthcare transformation to face the challenges of the increased burden of noncommunicable diseases and to maintain the quality of healthcare services. However, in Saudi Arabia, where low back and neck pain, depressive disorders, migraine, diabetes, and anxiety disorders cause the most disability, a broader way of integrative health approach is needed to foster healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages. In the presence of the advanced modern medicine healthcare system in Saudi Arabia, the traditional medicine healing system is being used by a substantial proportion of Saudis but like a shadow healthcare system. This phenomenon of using two healthcare systems reflects a need for an integrative healthcare system. Integrative medicine or approach is about bringing traditional, complementary, and modern medicine in a harmonized system of healthcare which can give a high return and save cost. The rationale behind integrative medicine is to include the best practices of both conventional and complementary therapy, uniting these practices into an integrative approach. Pain management, care of cancer patients, and behavior change are among the leading areas of integration models that should be included in healthcare transformation in Saudi Arabia. Investment in behavior change and well-being outside the boundaries of the healthcare system in the Saudi 2030 vision will have more impact on health and wellness of the Saudi citizen in the face of the epidemics of the lifestyle diseases. Models of integrative medicine during the healthcare transformation can be developed, evaluated, and replicated. Keywords: Cupping, Integrative medicine, Saudi Arabia, Healthcare transformation
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spelling doaj.art-249237a7fb7e4a39b86c5b4ffc8a8e112022-12-22T03:08:18ZengElsevierIntegrative Medicine Research2213-42202018-12-0174316321The future of integrative health and medicine in Saudi ArabiaMohamed K.M. Khalil0Sulaiman Al-Eidi1Meshary Al-Qaed2Saud AlSanad3National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Corresponding author at: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, P.O. Box 88300, Riyadh 11662, Saudi Arabia.National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaNational Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaNational Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; College of Medicine, Al Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia is witnessing a healthcare transformation to face the challenges of the increased burden of noncommunicable diseases and to maintain the quality of healthcare services. However, in Saudi Arabia, where low back and neck pain, depressive disorders, migraine, diabetes, and anxiety disorders cause the most disability, a broader way of integrative health approach is needed to foster healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages. In the presence of the advanced modern medicine healthcare system in Saudi Arabia, the traditional medicine healing system is being used by a substantial proportion of Saudis but like a shadow healthcare system. This phenomenon of using two healthcare systems reflects a need for an integrative healthcare system. Integrative medicine or approach is about bringing traditional, complementary, and modern medicine in a harmonized system of healthcare which can give a high return and save cost. The rationale behind integrative medicine is to include the best practices of both conventional and complementary therapy, uniting these practices into an integrative approach. Pain management, care of cancer patients, and behavior change are among the leading areas of integration models that should be included in healthcare transformation in Saudi Arabia. Investment in behavior change and well-being outside the boundaries of the healthcare system in the Saudi 2030 vision will have more impact on health and wellness of the Saudi citizen in the face of the epidemics of the lifestyle diseases. Models of integrative medicine during the healthcare transformation can be developed, evaluated, and replicated. Keywords: Cupping, Integrative medicine, Saudi Arabia, Healthcare transformationhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213422018301690
spellingShingle Mohamed K.M. Khalil
Sulaiman Al-Eidi
Meshary Al-Qaed
Saud AlSanad
The future of integrative health and medicine in Saudi Arabia
Integrative Medicine Research
title The future of integrative health and medicine in Saudi Arabia
title_full The future of integrative health and medicine in Saudi Arabia
title_fullStr The future of integrative health and medicine in Saudi Arabia
title_full_unstemmed The future of integrative health and medicine in Saudi Arabia
title_short The future of integrative health and medicine in Saudi Arabia
title_sort future of integrative health and medicine in saudi arabia
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213422018301690
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