Complementary healthcare is defined as:

The definition of complementary healthcare emphasizes the integration of different approaches to enhance patient care. It is used together with conventional medicine which suggests a collaborative approach that acknowledges the value of both systems in treating illness and promoting health. This method supports the idea that patients can benefit from various treatment modalities, where conventional medicine might provide efficacy in addressing acute conditions, while complementary healthcare practices—such as acupuncture, yoga, or herbal remedies—can contribute to overall wellness and chronic disease management.

In this framework, practitioners may utilize a mix of therapies to provide a more personalized and holistic patient experience. This signifies not only a respect for traditional medical practices but also an understanding that many individuals seek or gain benefits from complementary methods, leading to better patient outcomes.

The other options point toward more limiting or exclusive views of healthcare. For instance, suggesting that complementary healthcare is used instead of conventional medicine or that it is exclusive to alternative remedies does not reflect the integrative philosophy of combining these approaches for improved health and well-being. Likewise, coordination alone, without the focus on joint utilization, fails to capture the essence of how these practices can effectively work in harmony.