Integrative healthcare trends to watch in 2020

By Katherine Shagoury

As we celebrate not only the start of a new year, but the start of a new decade, we’re taking a closer look at the trends in integrative medicine that you’ll want to keep an eye on in 2020.

The integrative healthcare industry has seen some significant advancements, both in clinical research and in public policy. We’re starting to see a shift from a general whole-person approach to care to a deeper understanding of what it means to approach a patient from a holistic perspective. While much work remains, it’s never been a more exciting time for integrative practitioners.

Environmental medicine

From the release of planetary healthy diet guidelines to global leaders calling for urgent action to combat climate change, the conversation in environmental medicine is shifting from addressing toxicants to actively involving patients in making choices that are beneficial for themselves and the planet.

It is generally accepted that climate change impacts human health acutely and chronically, and environmental toxins have a role in disease. Integrative professionals also typically understand that lifestyle choices benefiting human health have a residual positive impact on the health of the planet. Therefore, practitioners have a unique role to play in facilitating patients to make small, ongoing changes to their diet and lifestyle, with the environment in mind.

Sleep

Named by some healthcare professionals as the trending healthcare topic for 2020, the importance of sleep and its profound impact on human health has become a focal point for many practitioners.

Research on sleep continues to grow and support how diet, light exposure, and stress affect a patient’s quality of sleep. Working with patients on proper sleep hygiene and creating structure around sleep helps make the circadian rhythm more robust, resulting in better sleep quality and improved mood and energy throughout the day. As more people struggle with proper rest and energy, integrative practitioners will need to properly address sleep with their patients.

Functional nutrition

While in the past, a specific diet protocol often tops our list, this year, the popular practice seems to be dismissing conventional diet culture altogether. Instead of counting calories or conforming to a set list of requirements, many integrative health professionals are opting for a more personalized approach to eating that centers on balance and developing a healthy relationship with food.

A functional nutrition approach focuses on dietary patterns and helping patients become aware of how and what they eat, to help them be more mindful and create long-lasting wellbeing. Removing restrictions and regulations allows the patient to remain in control of their own health.

We certainly won’t see diets disappear in the New Year, but it’s certainly worth shifting the conversation to approach eating in a way that is more realistic and rewarding for patients.

Nursing and midwifery

The World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization designated 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, in honor of the 200th birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, known as the founder of modern nursing.

The year 2020 is significant for the WHO in the context of nursing and midwifery strengthening for universal health coverage. The WHO is leading the development of the first-ever State of the World’s Nursing report, which will be launched in 2020, prior to the 73rd World Health Assembly in May. The WHO is also a partner on The State of the World’s Midwifery 2020 report, which will be launched around the same time. 

Practitioners are invited to get involved with WHO with the year-long global focus on nurses and midwives. Click here for more information.

Psychedelics

In the past year, the psychedelic compound psilocybin has received attention for its therapeutic potential. While previous clinical trials have demonstrated efficacy of a single psilocybin-generated mystical experience in helping individuals with cancer, new research continues to build on how psychedelics may be utilized in the medical setting. Psilocybin specifically has been shown to rapidly decrease depression, anxiety, hopelessness, and demoralization, as well as improve spiritual wellbeing.

Psilocybin is classified as a Schedule I compound under the Controlled Substances Act. Lifetime prevalence of nonmedical use of psilocybin in the U.S. was 8.5 percent in 2015. The National Institute on Drug Abuse does not consider psilocybin and other classic psychedelics to be drugs of addiction because they do not produce compulsive drug-seeking behavior. Medical emergencies from psilocybin use is very rare.

As the body of scientific research continues to expand, there may be opportunity to reevaluate psilocybin compound classification. While this is unlikely to happen in the next calendar year, several integrative experts are spearheading research efforts, and practitioner interest can bolster potential policy initiatives.

Health coaching

In the integrative healthcare industry, there is a growing demand for health coaching in medical practice. Health coaches specialize in skillful conversation and strategies to actively and safely engage patients in health behavior change and can be an invaluable member of a care team. 

However, lack of regulation and consistent standards has led to confusion in terms of what different health coaches are qualified to do and how health coaches fit in to different models of practice. As health coaching becomes more invaluable in integrative medicine, the conversation and collaboration will continue to develop.

Integrative optometry

While we typically associate integrative medicine with primary care, there are boundless opportunities for a whole-person approach outside of the medical doctor’s office. Natural eye care is growing in popularity as poor vision and major eye pathologies such as macular degeneration are becoming more common.

It is incumbent upon integrative practitioners to work collaboratively and refer to ophthalmology professionals who can treat and prevent eye disease through diet, exercise, lifestyle, and targeted supplementation.

Have an idea?

What integrative healthcare trends are you noticing in your practice? We’d love to hear from you. Join the discussion on our Community Forum by clicking here.