Integrative healthcare trends to watch in 2021

Photo Cred: Negative Space/Pexels

By Katherine Shagoury

While integrative medicine, much like the broader healthcare industry, has become largely focused on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), integrative practitioners continue to advance the profession in a myriad of ways. In fact, the past year has only heightened public awareness of the importance of a preventative, whole-person approach to care, and implications of preexisting conditions as well as the influence of nutrition and lifestyle on health status amid a global pandemic.

As we celebrate the start of a new year, we’re taking a closer look at the trends in integrative medicine that you’ll want to keep an eye on in 2021.

Gut microbiome

The gut microbiome is one of those trends that keeps coming back into focus, and for good reason. Scientific advances continue to emphasize the importance of a healthy gut microbiome both in the management and prevention of disease as well as promotion of long-term health and wellbeing.

In the past year, we’ve seen research on gut microbiota status and its potential impact on COVID-19 severity, studies looking at how gut bacteria can help ward off viruses or influence the progression of lung disease, and everything in between. As gut microbiome science and our understanding continues to evolve, integrative practitioners have a unique role to play in facilitating patients to support optimal gut health.  

Chronic disease management

While much of the last year has focused on acute illness, chronic disease prevention and management remains a growing field of interest in integrative medicine. Specialties ranging from integrative oncology to rheumatology are increasing as research supports complementary practices in both treatment and preventative protocols.

Integrative providers have an opportunity to expand their existing practices or work to partner with conventional medicine practitioners to deliver the best care to patients experiencing or who are at risk of developing a chronic disease. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, patients are more aware than ever and looking for personalized care from registered dietitians, licensed acupuncturists, and more, and as research continues to evolve to support such therapies in chronic disease care, integrative practitioners must remain ahead of the curve.

Mind-body medicine

The past year put a spotlight on mental health and its effects both emotionally and physically. The mind-body connection is a consistent theme in integrative medicine. Many people tend to associate mind-body medicine with stress management, especially as it relates to COVID-19, and while mind-body approaches can certainly address mental health and anxiety, positive and negative emotions can have a range of effects on physical wellbeing, long-term health, and longevity.  

As the general public becomes more aware of mind-body medicine and its importance, practitioners should take advantage of opportunities to support patients.

Immune support and detoxification

While COVID-19 remains a central theme in medicine, immune support will be a main concern for patients and practitioners alike. From natural strategies to boost the immune system to building and enhancing immune resilience, understanding and awareness of immune health protocols will be paramount.

Further, optimizing the body’s detoxification processes to support disease prevention and maximize health are of increasing interest in the integrative healthcare community. This topic goes hand-in-hand with immune support, as the goal is helping patients avoid or manage illness and improve quality of life.

Virtual and telemedicine  

The use of telemedicine services has been on the rise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to increase in 2021.

The rapid expansion in scope of practice, telemedicine, and insurance reimbursement opened the door to many opportunities for integrative practitioners to make a difference. The pandemic also encouraged patients to pay more attention to their personal health and engage in preventative health practices, as it eliminated barriers and emphasized its importance in avoiding acute and chronic disease, as well as improving long-term quality of life. Increasing accessibility to and affordability of whole-person, preventative care is a huge step forward in the integrative healthcare industry.

Sleep medicine

Considered one of the top trending healthcare topics by experts in our round-up last year, sleep medicine will once again have a prime opportunity to shine, as the importance of sleep and its profound impact on human health remains a focal point for many practitioners.

Between disrupted routines, stress and anxiety, increased use of blue light-emitting devices, and less exposure to natural sunlight, many patients are struggling to sleep well. There is also heightened awareness, both from providers and consumers, on promoting health through sleep and self-care practices.

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.

Community-driven medicine

Healthcare professionals cannot move forward in 2021 without acknowledging the racial and social justice movements that sparked in 2020, which, among many difficult yet important conversations, revealed health disparities, racial inequalities, and systemic biases in healthcare and the effects on racial minority access and usage of complementary and integrative medicine.

In the integrative healthcare community, these conversations were long overdue. Integrative or “wellness” services have inadvertently become synonymous with privilege, a luxury only a select few can afford. Beyond patient care, Black practitioners are largely underrepresented in the integrative healthcare space.

The next year is the time for action to confront racism in integrative medicine. While creating more equitable and inclusive communities will not happen overnight, integrative practitioners must make conscious efforts to create true health and wellbeing in their communities.

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