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Objective:Interests in integrative medicine and CAM(Complementary and Alternative Medicine) are on the rise. However, the term 'integrative medicine' is often confused with the concept of CAM. This paper aims at clarifying the concept of integrative medicine. Methods:The definition, concept, and research methods used to explain integrative medicine have been inquired into. Also, the differences between the researches on integrative medicine and those on CAM have been studied. Moreover, domestic researches regarding integrative medicine have been analyzed. Results:The concept of integrative medicine was born in order to create a more patient-centered medicine by actively accommodating the medical system classified as CAM. The biggest difference that discriminates integrative medicine from CAM is the fact that integrative medicine does not depend solely on establishing its grounds through the process of RCT(Randomized Controlled Trial). Conclusion:Domestic researches regarding integrative medicine naturally leads to the concept of unification of medicine, but they do not concern the original meaning of integrative medicine. It is only after active discussions on the meaning, philosophical backgrounds, and research methods of integrative medicine become possible that a truly patient-oriented medicine will be realized.