Facilitators and Barriers to the Integration of Mind–Body Medicine into Primary Care
Abstract
Purpose: To improve understanding of the facilitators and barriers affecting the integration of mind–body medicine (MBM) into primary care and describe the experiences of mind–body primary care providers. Methods: The authors conducted a qualitative analysis of semi-structured telephone interviews with mind–body primary care providers selected via a maximum variation sampling strategy. Results: Four main themes emerged: (1) MBM is an approach to patient care as well as a set of modalities, (2) time and reimbursement pose significant challenges to MBM, (3) support for MBM in one's practice setting is a key facilitator, and (4) commitment to MBM comes from personal experience. “Insufficient time” was the most highly ranked barrier among survey respondents. Interviewees described innovative strategies to overcome barriers, including customized intake forms, MBM training for staff, MBM group visits, and discounted referrals for low-income patients. Conclusions: While increased MBM and self-care training for providers may facilitate the integration of MBM into primary care, systematic changes are needed to decrease time pressures on providers and incentivize patient wellness. Despite barriers, providers are using innovative strategies to provide mind–body primary care in diverse practice settings.
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For many people, mindfulness as a healthcare approach remains unfamiliar.
“for many people, mindfulness as a healthcare approach remains unfamiliar [14, 32].”
From Exploring patient experiences with a mindfulness course in a general practice setting: a qualitative study. (2025) · cites this paper as [14]
There is a lack of resources to adequately address the increasing prevalence of mental health problems within the population.
“there is a lack of resources to adequately address the increasing prevalence of mental health problems within the population [13–15].”
From Exploring patient experiences with a mindfulness course in a general practice setting: a qualitative study. (2025) · cites this paper as [14]
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- Authors
- McGuire, C., Gabison, J., & Kligler, B.
- Affiliations
- Boston Medical Center (US)
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine (US)
- Mount Sinai Beth Israel (US)
- Corresponding author
- Kligler, Benjamin
- Venue
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine: Paradigm, Practice, and Policy Advancing Integrative Health
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2016-06
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 437-442
- ISSN
- 1075-5535 (ISSN-L)
- 1557-7708
- OpenAlex
- W2346888456
- Cited by
- 18
- References
- 18
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 2.05
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Policy Implementation Science
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Keywords
- mind-body medicine, primary care, integration of complementary therapies, barriers and facilitators, provider experiences, time constraints, reimbursement, practice support, employee training, group visits, low-income patients, patient well-being
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Primary Health Care, Delivery of Health Care, Integrated, Mind-Body Therapies
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