Integrative Medicine Model – What is it?
Integrative Medicine Model – What is it?
Contemporary terminology and ‘rebranding’ due to niche marketing have added to the confusion regarding what is meant by Integrative Medicine. Various terminology such as integrative healthcare, anti-ageing medicine and functional medicine have been used under the Integrative Medicine umbrella.
‘Strategic Medicine without Barriers’
The three most popular Integrative Medicines centre models of Integrative Medicine include;
- Non-MD integrative medicine facility
Practitioners and service providers comprise a wide range of disciplines, including naturopaths, nurse practitioners, chiropractors, Chinese medicine doctors, massage therapists and acupuncturists.
- MD integrative medicine facility
Practised by primary care and family medicine MDs and psychiatrists, psychologists, physiotherapist, gastroenterologist, nutritionist, oncologists, pain specialists and more.
- MD and Non- MD integrative medicine facilities
A combination of the previous two models
I have worked in IM models 1 and 3 for many years, but also have had interactions with colleaguesworking within the framework of the MD integrative medicine facility model. While all are viable treatment options, I believe that successful Integrative Medicine practice is the Model 3 which harnesses the best of all healing systems and is ‘Medicine without Barriers’ which represents ‘true integration’. Past examples of this model include Dean Ornish’s model which was more readily accepted by the consumer and health insurance companies.
In recent years, the Drug Discovery focus has been more on targeted delivery and personalised medicine. Mainstream medicine is learning a lot from Integrative Medicines about the fundamentals of lifestyle, which is the cornerstone of any personalised medicine program. Thismodern-day revolution is underway in conventional medical treatment by forward-thinking family doctors who understand that importance of integrating lifestyle, diet, emotional and physical factors into conventional therapeutic protocols. For example, this cohort of family doctors co-prescribe vitamins, probiotics, and advocate stress management techniques such as yoga and mindfulness.
However, a large percentage of family doctors have not been trained in this realm even though they fully believe in healthcare promotion through preventative measures. Perhaps medical boards should consider advocating the benefits of Integrative Medicine. The medical boards with vision that promote the understanding of ‘holistic biology’ will consider this option, whereas the conservative groups will continue their mission of the ‘same old same old’ until the science forces them to rethink their strategy.
Future blogs will focus more on how to develop an framework for improved therapeutic and business outcomes. The discussion on business outcomes will include setting up a strategic business plan, visions, marketing, branding, customer service and more.
For futher information you can visit our social media pages like Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin