title: Working towards a model of integrative health care: critical elements for an effective team.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to assess what factors the Tzu Chi Institute (TCI) practitioners identified as supports and barriers to providing care within an integrative health care setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative data were collected by means of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 16 practitioners who worked at a comprehensive integrative care clinic in Vancouver, Canada over 5 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Practitioners identified four elements critical to forming and sustaining an effective integrative care team: (1) effective communication tools, (2) personal attributes (3) satisfactory compensation, and (4) a supportive organizational structure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because of the influence practitioners have on the outcomes of patients in an integrative care program, attention must be focused not only on creating optimal healing environments for patients but also towards establishing and nurturing optimal working environments for practitioners.
authors.affiliation: Tzu Chi Research Group, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Andrea L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Mulkins
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eng
authors.forename: Marja J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Verhoef
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002170:Canada; D003142:Communication; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic