Recent integrative health research from Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) explored the potential for stronger ties between small institutions and leading research universities.
The study, a collaboration between SCU faculty and researchers from six other institutions, examined how these partnerships could reshape healthcare and research. Published in the Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, “Cross-Sectional Survey Analysis of Institutional Research Partnerships in Complementary and Integrative Health: Identifying Barriers and Facilitators” analyzed the strengths and challenges of such collaborations, noted an SCUHS press release.
The study surveyed researchers from five fields of integrative health—acupuncture, chiropractic medicine, massage therapy, naturopathy and yoga. Key findings included:
- 38% of projects began with targeted funding.
- More than 60% of projects included educational and faculty development programs
- Partnerships enhanced research innovation, professional growth and integration of holistic health into mainstream care.
“These partnerships can be a win-win-win,” said SCU’s research director, Steffany Moonaz, PhD, a coauthor of the research. “R1 institutions benefit from the clinical expertise that schools like SCU can offer, while our schools gain access to the resources of the R1. And lastly, the public benefits from more clinically relevant and better resourced integrative health research that we can conduct through these partnerships.”
Moonaz has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications. Her work, supported by the National Institutes of Health and other major institutions, focuses on evidence-based integrative health practices.
Advancing clinical education in integrative health
“At schools like SCU and MUIH that train integrative health clinicians, we need tools to ensure that our students are equipped with the skills of health literacy and evidence-based practice to provide state-of-the-art care in our fields,” said Moonaz. “The development of this tool allows us to evaluate these skills in a way that was previously only available for conventional medical students. This is an important step forward for advancing clinical education in integrative health fields.”
The study highlighted how integrative health collaborations could create better tools for studying alternative therapies, foster a whole-person approach to health and strengthen both small and large institutions.
For more information, visit scuhs.edu.
About Southern California University of Health Sciences
Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) is one of the world’s only integrative, whole-health universities—teaching students to blend the best of conventional medicine with proven complementary approaches and to treat the whole person (body, mind and spirit). Founded in 1911, SCU has been challenging convention and pushing healthcare forward for more than 100 years. Today, the institution offers graduate, undergraduate and certificate programs in a wide range of disciplines, including Chiropractic, Sports Medicine, Physical & Occupational Therapy, Genetic Counseling, Genetics & Genomics, Medical Science, Physician Assistant, Ayurveda, Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine, Whole Health Leadership and beyond. Learn more at scuhs.edu.
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