Homeopathy and complementary medicine in Tuscany, Italy: integration in the public health system.
The healthcare programmes of the Region of Tuscany, Italy have contained references to various types of non-conventional medicine since 1996, and the last three Regional Health Plans have includes a chapter on non-conventional medicine that arguably represent the greatest degree of integration of such therapies in the public health care system achieved thus far in Italy. The Plan aims to guarantee definitive integration in the Regional Health Service of types of non-conventional medicine which are supported by a sufficient level of scientific evidence to allow them to be defined as forms of complementary medicine (acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy and manual medicine). Moreover, in 2007 the Regional council of Tuscany, for the first time in Italy, approved a regional law disciplining the practice of complementary medicines on the part of doctors, dentists, Veterinarians and pharmacists.
Rossi
Elio
E
Homeopathic Clinic, Campo di Marte Hospital, Local Health District n. 2, Lucca, Italy. omeopatia@usl2.toscana.it
Baccetti
Sonia
S
Firenzuoli
Fabio
F
Belvedere
Katia
K
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012040:Regional Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012041:Regional Medical Programs