About Us
Strategy
During Phase I, the Consortium successfully assembled charter members from Hawaii's conventional medicine stakeholders including our major hospitals, insurance companies, and the University of Hawaii. Additionally, a Complementary and Alternative Professions branch was established. The Consortium has also placed a high priority on embracing and supporting the native Hawaiian healing community.
During Phase II, the Consortium expanded its stakeholder members to include all major healthcare sectors in the State: major hospitals, insurance companies, a diverse range of elements at the University of Hawaii, professional State CAM organizations and schools, and the government. The Consortium continues to expand its relationships with these entities, with a maintained focus on research and education for both healthcare professionals and the public.
During Phase III, the Consortium hosted a retreat, in the Fall of 2004, of the leaders of stakeholder organizations. At this retreat it was decided that the Consortium should focus on an integrative approach to the major health issues of pain and obesity. The health challenge of cancer has been subsequently added to this list.
We continue, under Phase III, to implement the direction provided by the stakeholder leaders. Under this phase, in 2006 we conducted three benchmarking symposiums to establish the current state of integrative healthcare in Hawaii and develop a strategic plan for advancing integrative healthcare over the next 5 years. The first benchmarking symposium - the State of Integrative Healthcare in Hawaii – was held May 19, 2006. The second benchmarking symposium - Research Related to Integrative Healthcare - was held July 28, 2006. The final symposium - Governmental Symposium on Integrative Healthcare – was held December 7, 2006. As a result of these symposiums, there was considerable interest in exploring the cost effectiveness of integrative healthcare. In 2007, the Consortium began work in developing a MedQuest Integrative Healthcare Pilot Project to assess the cost effectiveness and outcome effectiveness of integrative healthcare with MedQuest patients experiencing hypertension, asthma, diabetes and chronic pain. The Samueli Institute, one of the foremost integrative healthcare institutes in the country, is working with the Consortium to develop the research design.
As a result of these symposiums, there was considerable interest in exploring the cost effectiveness of integrative healthcare. In 2007, the Consortium began work in developing a MedQuest Integrative Healthcare Pilot Project to assess the cost effectiveness and outcome effectiveness of integrative healthcare with MedQuest patients experiencing hypertension, asthma, diabetes and chronic pain. The Samueli Institute, one of the foremost integrative healthcare institutes in the country, is working with the Consortium to develop the research design.
Additionally, much work has been done to launch and sustain new collaborations with national and international institutions.
The Hawaii State Consortium for Integrative Healthcare was established to build bridges and embrace diversity. The Consortium is not a political organization and does not have a political agenda.
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