Health Care Utilization in an Academic Integrative Medicine Center, 2011-2022.

Abstract

Objectives: As empirical evidence about the efficacy and therapeutic benefits of integrative medicine grows and insurance coverage of services increases, patient demand for integrative medicine is likely to increase. Relatively few studies have looked at electronic health records (EHRs) data to understand utilization of integrative medicine services within "real-world" practice settings. This study's objective is to describe sociodemographic data and health care utilization for adults (age 18 or older) within a large regional health system from 2011 to 2022. Methods: The study design was a longitudinal cohort analysis using EHRs data for patients seen at an integrative medicine center from 2011 to 2022. Setting/Location: UCHealth Integrative Medicine Center ("the Center") within UCHealth, a not-for-profit health care system with hospitals and clinical facilities throughout Colorado, southern Wyoming, and western Nebraska. Participants: Adults 18 years or older at the time of care delivery seen at the Center from April 1, 2011, through December 31, 2022. Results: The Center provided 95,754 visits to 15,157 unique individuals from April 1, 2011, through December 31, 2022. The average number of individuals seen was 1,833 per year (Range 1,405-2,347). The cohort's mean age was 43 years; the majority were female (75%) and white (77.2%) with commercial insurance (87.1%). Medicare (29.6%) and Medicaid (19.7%) insurance were also relatively common. The Social Deprivation Index scores were distributed broadly across the cohort. The top three reasons for visits were chronic pain, mental/behavioral health conditions, and obesity. The most frequent visits were for acupuncture, massage, and physician/physician assistant services. A total of 1,586 health care professionals from 52 different specialties, both within and outside UCHealth, referred to the Center. Conclusion: This study describes a large cohort of adults seen for integrative medicine services and referral sources within a large regional health care system. Study findings have the potential to shape future integrative health care provision, education, research, and policy.