About

Aims and objectives

The objective of the Special Interest Group (SIG) is to bring together University of Melbourne and Partner Institutes, academics and postgraduate students who are interested in research or education related to practices or therapeutics described as holistic, traditional/indigenous-based, complementary, integrative or lifestyle-based (hereon referred to as traditional, complementary, integrative medicine, TCIM; see Definitions).

The SIG aims to foster multidisciplinary collaboration; and build and maintain strong, mutually beneficial relationships to encourage research engagement and continuous learning around TCIM. We aim to do this through creating opportunities that motivate and inspire.

Scope

The SIG focuses on the following areas:

  • Networking and Knowledge Sharing
    • Creating a platform for academics and postgraduate students from a variety of disciplines, with interest in TCIM, to meet and share knowledge.
    • Exploring the role and value of care that incorporates culturally appropriate approaches to health care that may align with a breadth of world views and ways of knowing.
  • Research or Teaching Collaborations
    • Identifying and creating opportunities for multidisciplinary research or teaching initiatives that align with the objectives and aims of the SIG.
    • This is done through Teams chat, shared documents, networking meetings and the Research page.
  • Other Activities aligned with the objectives and aims of the SIG.

It is not the purpose of the SIG to champion or be aligned with specific healthcare modalities, or political or religious views, and it does not represent the University or the University’s views. Members do not need to advocate for TCIM, but should be respectfully aligned to meet the aims, objectives and activities of the SIG.

Membership

Membership of the SIG is free and open to all current University of Melbourne (and partner institution) researchers and educators including Honorary and Adjunct staff and Postgraduate students. At the discretion of the Steering Committee, other people who have expertise relevant to the SIG may be invited to join. To join, complete the membership form.

All members of the SIG will:

  • Abide by the values articulated by the University of Melbourne;
  • Be respectful of the opinions of others and seek to make a respectful and constructive contribution to the SIG;
  • If applicable, perform any tasks delegated to them in a timely manner and to the best of their ability;
  • Alert the SIG to any potential conflicts of interest; and
  • Be an advocate for the SIG.

Activities

SIG members may undertake the following activities to achieve the objectives:

  • Attend regular meetings and seminars on TCIM-related topics.
  • Collaborate on research proposals, projects, and publications.
  • Establish subcommittees or working groups to manage the SIG and/or address specific research or other challenges.
  • Maintain an online platform for knowledge exchange, resource sharing, and networking among members.

Communication

Communication within the SIG is facilitated through:

  • Regular meetings (virtual or in-person)
  • Website
  • When permission is given, discussion community (Microsoft Teams) and emails

Steering Committee

Dr Rachel Canaway (Chair) Department of General Practice & Primary Care, The University of Melbourne
Dr Katja Boysen, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
Dr Julieta Galante, Contemplative Studies Centre, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences
Dr Jo Hughson, Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital
Dr Daniela Ramirez Duran, Department of General Practice & Primary Care, The University of Melbourne

Contact us

Email integrative-sig@unimelb.edu.au

Stakeholder Engagement Network

Community members, including TCIM practitioners, can join the Integrative Healthcare Stakeholder Research Engagement Network that is aligned with the Academic Special Interest Group. Activities between the groups enables identification of research priorities and project co-design.

Membership forms

Definitions

Biomedicine – is the umbrella theoretical framework for most health science and health technology work done in academic and government settings. Sometimes also referred to as conventional or mainstream medicine.

Complementary medicine – used interchangeably with “traditional medicine” in some countries, refers to a broad set of health care knowledge, skills and practices that are not typically part of a country’s established traditional or conventional medicine, and may play a supportive role in conjunction with biomedicine.

Health care – the provision of care for the health of a person, community, etc.

Holistic health care – care / treatment that attempts to deal with the whole person and not merely with their physical condition.

Integrative healthcare – an interdisciplinary and evidence-informed approach aimed at achieving whole-person health and well-being by using a respectful combination or fusion of biomedical and traditional and/or complementary medical knowledge, skills and practices. It provides holistic care spanning the care continuum and may involve various health care providers and institutions.

Interdisciplinary – contributing to or benefiting from two or more disciplines. Integrating knowledge and methods from different disciplines, using a synthesis of approaches.

Lifestyle medicine – The application of environmental, behavioural, medical and motivational principles to the management (including self-care and self-management) of lifestyle-related health problems in a clinical and/or public health setting.[iv]

Multidisciplinary – people from different disciplines working together, each drawing on their disciplinary knowledge.

Traditional medicine – sum total of the knowledge, skill and practices based on the theories, beliefs and experiences indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the maintenance of health and the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness.

TCIM – Traditional, complementary and/or integrative medicine, including lifestyle medicine and holistic healthcare.