Main description:

Curricula in nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, human nutrition and medicine have to include modules on integrative healthcare in the pre-registration programmes (degree and diploma programmes) in order to educate prospective health professionals with regard to the basic principles of integrative healing (complementary and alternative practices). Modules on alternative healing should be included in pre-registration curricula in order to educate health professionals with regard to the basic principles of traditional healing, herbalism, reflexology and aromatherapy. This is especially so because the integration of alternative allied health professions into the healthcare team is encouraged by healthcare providers. No other textbook on integrative healthcare that includes the principles of traditional healing is currently available to be used in the training of nurses, doctors and allied health professionals at universities and colleges.

Contents:

Integrative healthcare: principles & descriptions; Sickness & healing in Africa: a religious perspective; Traditional health practice; Ethics; Integrative healthcare & legislation; Fundamentals of eating behaviour: increasing awareness & enhancing understanding of integrative healthcare; Healing modalities related to natural therapies: ayurveda, flower remedies of bach, homeopathy, biochemic tissue salt therapy, naturopathy, unani tibb medicine & herbalism; healing modalities related to manual therapies: acupuncture, aromatherapy & reflexology.