WELCOME TO THE UC IRVINE FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE TRACK

The UCI Family Medicine Residency Integrative Medicine Track is a unique program within the residency designed to offer additional education and training in the diagnosis and treatment of primary care patients using the tools and philosophies of Integrative Medicine. The curriculum for this special training track is taught in a longitudinal fashion over all 3 years, with various educational elements integrated into the standard family medicine residency curriculum.  At the core of the program is our collaboration with the University of Arizona’s Center for Integrative Medicine, giving residents access to their web-based series of award-winning teaching modules which are part of their Integrative Medicine in Residency program. Educational information from this on line program is complemented by a variety of on-site interactive and experiential learning activities.  This track addresses a number of key  elements of holistic care that are traditionally overlooked in medical school – including nutrition, mind body medicine,  the evidence-based use of herbal medicine and supplements, acupuncture, and a focus on patient-centered communication and self-care.

The web-based curriculum from the ACIM has already been successfully piloted at a number of residency programs across the country, but what makes the UCI program unique is the focus on and commitment to bringing Integrative Medicine resources to our underserved Latino patient community – a population traditionally unable to access these valuable resources. 

Residents completing the track will receive a Special Certificate from the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. This certificate will be applicable towards requirements for Board Certification in Integrative Medicine after graduation for those residents interested in continuing to pursue this career path after residency.

COMMON ELEMENTS TO THE PRACTICE OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE Patient-centered care that focuses on healing the whole person, and takes into account all factors that influence health, wellness and disease, including mind, body and spirit in the context of community. Educate and empower people to be active participants in their own care, and to take responsibility for their own health and wellness. Integrate the best of Western scientific medicine with a broader understanding of the nature of illness, healing and wellness to facilitate the body’s innate healing response. Encourage healing partnerships between the provider and patient, and support the individualization of care. Make use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches and evidence-based modalities to achieve optimal health and healing – a philosophy that neither rejects conventional medicine nor accepts alternative medicine uncritically Focus on the use of natural, effective, less-invasive interventions whenever possible Restore the focus of medicine towards prevention, wellness and healing Train practitioners to be models of health and healing, committed to the process of self-exploration and self-development

HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE RESIDENCY TRACK?

Students interested in being considered for this track should follow all the usual residency applications procedures. When you arrange your interview, simply indicate that you have an interest in learning more about the Integrative Medicine Residency track.  You will have the opportunity to ask questions and hear more about the track during your interview, and can tell us at that time if you’d like to be considered for acceptance into the track.  

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