(ISSN 2573-4393)
OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine is an international peer-reviewed Open Access journal published quarterly online by LIDSEN Publishing Inc. It covers all evidence-based scientific studies on integrative, alternative and complementary approaches to improving health and wellness.
Topics contain but are not limited to:
It publishes a variety of article types: original research, review, communication, opinion, case report, study protocol, comment, conference report, technical note, book review, etc.
There is no restriction on paper length, provided that the text is concise and comprehensive. Authors should present their results in as much detail as possible, as reviewers are encouraged to emphasize scientific rigor and reproducibility.
Archiving: full-text archived in CLOCKSS.
Rapid publication: manuscripts are undertaken in 11.7 days from acceptance to publication (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2021, 1-2 days of FREE language polishing time is also included in this period). A first decision provided to authors of manuscripts submitted to this journal are approximately 6.8 weeks (median values) after submission.
Special Issue
How Compassion Benefits in the Healing Process
Submission Deadline: March 31, 2019 (Open) Submit Now
Guest Editor
Steven K. H. Aung, CM, AOE, MD, PhD, FAAFP
1. Director and Clinical Professor, Integrative Health Institute (IHI), Departments of Medicine and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2C8, Canada
2. Adjunct Professor, Faculties of Extension, Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rehabilitation Medicine, and School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2C8, Canada
Research Interests: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM); acupuncture; integrative medicine
About This Topic
Compassion can be defined in many ways, but each definition has positive connotations. There is two ways of treating a patient; one is treating with a lack of compassion, a very mechanical and utilitarian approach. The other is with compassion and kindness, a way in which promotes trust and friendship between doctor and patient. When treating this way a doctor must have good intentions and not simply be treating a patient, but healing from the bottom of their heart.
This special issue focuses on the effects of patient – doctor relationships when compassion is involved in the healing process, and the benefits this may hold for the future success of acupuncture and medicine as a whole.
Publication
Does a Brief Mindfulness Training Enhance Heartfulness in Students? Results of a Pilot StudyAbstract (1) Background: There is robust evidence that mindfulness trainings enhance mindfulness as operationalized in Western psychology, but evidence about heartfulness is sparse. This study seeks to test whether a brief mindfulness training enhances heart qualities, including self-compassion, gratitude, and the generation of feelings of happiness [...] |
Compassion in a Doctor-Patient Relationship: Objectively Measuring Compassionate Behavior Using the Emotional Availability (EA) ScalesAbstract Most research on compassion utilizes self-report measures (Seppala, Simon-Thomas, Brown, Worline, Cameron, & Doty, in press). Indeed, when it comes to the measurement of self-compassion, the subjective report of the individual can provide an authentic window about compassion toward the self. How else can we understand another’s subjecti [...] |
How to Heal the Healer: Combating Burnout Using Compassion and Mindfulness-Based Interventionsby
Michelle H. Dick
and
Nayla M. Khoury
Abstract We explore how medical culture contributes to burnout. Highlighting specific programs aimed at developing compassion and mindfulness skills, we share our own perspectives and experiences implementing similarly focused programs. Promising results on the application of compassion-based programs show evidence of improvements to a number of measur [...] |
Breath Practices for Survivor and Caregiver Stress, Depression, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Connection, Co-regulation, CompassionAbstract Does compassion itself benefit the healing process or does the activation of neurophysiological processes, from which the experience of compassion arises, trigger a cascade of physical and psychological changes that support health and well-being? Exploration of the neurological substrates of compassion reveals multiple healing pathways that [...] |
Compassion in Medical PracticeAbstract Compassion and kindness can be cultivated and enhanced. Over the years in medical practice I have witnessed many healthcare workers, after having worked with kind and caring practitioners, become progressively more humane. Those of us who are teachers need to be mindful of that. In educating new physicians, compassion should play a central [...] |
Doing Brief Work, Slowly: Compassion as Intervention in Behavioral Medicineby
Ron Dolgin
and
Matthew Davis
Abstract Integration of behavioral health consultants and specialists into medical settings has accelerated the development of evidenced-based practices for an array of problems and concerns common to behavioral medicine. Though these treatments have shown to be beneficial for those that engage in protocols, attrition remains high. With an emphasis [...] |
Compassion in Preregistration Nurse Education: An Integrated Reviewby
Pras Ramluggun
and
Sanj Nathoo
Abstract The evolving, dynamic and challenging healthcare landscape requires that the art and science of nursing equip preregistration nursing students (PNS) with the knowledge and skills to positively respond to these changes. Central to PNS’ ability to demonstrate competence in the fundamentals of nursing care are core nursing attributes to meaning [...] |
The Role of Self-Compassion in Recovery from Substance Use Disordersby
Gila Chen
Abstract (1) Background: A large body of empirical evidence has supported the notion that individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) have difficulty regulating their negative emotions and employing emotion-regulation strategies. The aim of this article is to (a) explore the role of self-compassion in providing an emotion-regulation strategy for [...] |
Compassion in Medicine – A Psychiatric Physician’s ViewAbstract There are several definitions of sympathy, empathy, and compassion on the internet. I have chosen the above definitions to emphasize their salient differences, for the following reason: In medical school, in the early 1960s, we were taught not to sympathize with patients, but to empathize: By empathizing, one can retain some professional [...] |
Compassion in Clinical CareAbstract Compassion in Clinical Care |
Is Self-Compassion Important for Health Care Practitioners?Abstract The cornerstone of health care practice is the provision of competent, compassionate care. Compassion is usually thought of when applied toward others; however, self-compassion promotes well-being, mental health, reduces fatigue and “burn-out” in health care practitioners. While most health care practitioners would agree with the importa [...] |
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Vidhi is a Clinical yoga therapist; mentor for yoga therapy training in Krishnamacharya tradition. She holds a MSc in Public health from Kings College London.
Mirela Olympia Fagarasan Palmer
Luigi Fontana, MD, PhD