Integrative Care: The Evolving Landscape in American Hospitals.

OVERVIEW: As the use of complementary and alternative medicine-CAM-has surged in popularity in the United States, many hospitals have begun integrating complementary services and therapies to augment conventional medical care. In this article, the first in a five-part series that will examine various aspects of holistic nursing and forms of complementary care currently in use, the authors provide an overview of some of the integrative care initiatives being introduced in hospitals throughout the United States and report on findings from a survey they conducted of nursing leaders at hospitals that have implemented integrative care programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]