The Integrative Health Convention 2018 was a greater success than any of the organisers could have imagined. Dr Naveed Akktar and myself, Dr Toh Wong, started the Convention with an aim to get people with different knowledge and skills of health and healing together to share their experiences and what they do, and succeeded in gethering over 30 leaders in their particular fields as speakers at the Convention at the Park Plaza Victoria on the 13th and 14th of October 2018. There were hour-long talks about different healing modalities with focus on language, traditional eastern practices, physical touch, breath, and acupuncture, yoga, diet, as well as doctors and a dental surgeon. There were some workshops on the business of a successful health practice and the working environment which were keenly attended. Almost half of the attendees were doctors and the other half complementary therapists and a few members of the public. Representatives from various regulatory and CPD organisations did attend such as the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) and Think Tree Hub.
Overall, it had an air of optimism and a really positive vibe at the end of both days, with the knowledge that there was medical interest in complementary therapies and complementary therapists interested in the medical model and what doctors did. Many were interested in the busy nature of the world of General Practice. Many friends were made, connections forged, and business cards exchanged.
Personally the greatest success we had was getting the conventional medical world to appreciate what the complementary world had on offer, their knowledge, skills, and expertise, as well as complementary therapists helping doctors and doctors helping complementary therapists. It is seldom that such comradery is perceived among doctors and therapists although we know it exists, and we are so proud to have been and to continue to be part of this. We hope that these links forged between Conventional and Complementary Health will continue to grow and focus on health and healing for all. A convention delegate expressed her personal heartfelt thanks that her life was changed because of the event, and another remarked on some unexpected health benefits. It was really a coming together of the best of both worlds.
Next year, we hope to build on our success with maybe a keynote speaker, speed-dating for connecting even more, and a diverse panel for a Question Time. If you have any suggestions, please comment or email us.
