P05.30. Integrating complementary and alternative medicine into mainstream health care: an empirical study of seven health care services in Australia

Purpose To date, most studies of integrative health care (IHC) have focused on the experiences of patients and practitioners, often emphasising the tensions between CAM and biomedical cultures. Minimal research has investigated the perspectives of IHC managers. In response, this study explores the perspectives of seven IHC managers working in a diverse range of health care services in Australia, in which CAM has been incorporated as part of service delivery. The services comprised: five communitybased programs including drug and alcohol rehabilitation, refugee mental health, women’s health, and two hospital-based specialist services dealing with chronic conditions. The CAM practices included acupuncture, naturopathy, western herbal medicine and massage amongst others.