Integrative Medicine: The Healthcare of the Future
Before defining Integrative Medicine, an overview of the current health care system is in order. Over the last half century, we have seen dramatic changes in the delivery of health care. The coming decades promise even greater changes. Science and technology shed insight into our understanding of disease and provide specialized treatments. Technological breakthroughs, such as the development of immunizations and the discovery of antibiotics, pasteurization, sterilization, and antiseptic techniques represent just a few examples. Over the course of the 20th century, these amazing advances contributed to a gain in life expectancy of over 30 years. With this increased longevity however, came a major shift in the causes of death, from infectious (TB, pneumonia, influenza, cholera, etc.), to the likes of cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Medical research has shifted focus toward more chronic conditions. The focus of clinical practice has followed suit, leading to our current disease-oriented model of healthcare. In such a model, the meaning of “health” can be obscured.
What exactly is health? In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) offered the following definition:
“…a state of complete physical, social, and mental well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
This definition implies that health is multidimensional and impacted by many factors such as spiritual beliefs and practices, social relationships, peace, justice, the economy, income, the environment, policies, etc. Health is evolving and dynamic, changing with the varying circumstances of one’s life. It is also subjective. Each person’s experience of health can differ widely, even when all factors appear similar.
The disease-oriented concept of health drives our current medical system. Medical advances have certainly saved and improved the lives of millions, but much of medicine has primarily focused on addressing the acute events of disease and injury. High-tech diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and surgery have minimized the importance of prevention. The disease-driven approach has also led to a fragmented, highly specialized system. There are cardiologists for your heart, neurologists for your brain, nephrologists for your kidneys, and the list goes on. In the U.S. this has been further exacerbated by the economic structure of our health care system. Pharmaceutical companies thrive in the disease-oriented model. For-profit health insurance companies often dictate medical practice, taking it out of the hands of the trained medical professionals. Care is often reactive and impersonal. This has led to a great dissatisfaction with much of our medical system. It is within this framework that Integrative Medicine has come into existence.
Integrative Medicine is a healing oriented medicine that reaffirms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient. This approach focuses on the whole person, recognizing that subtle interactions of mind, body, spirit, and community have a direct impact on vitality and well-being. It is evidence based and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, healthcare professionals, and disciplines (both conventional and alternative), to achieve optimal health and healing. Integrative Medicine is NOT “alternative” medicine. This implies “in place of” conventional medicine. It is NOT “complementary” medicine, which implies “alongside” conventional medicine. By weaving the best of these modalities with the best of conventional medicine, an Integrative Medicine practitioner creates a unique partnership between the patient, family, and primary & specialty care providers, to achieve optimal heath and healing. Care plans often include recommendations and guidance in the following areas:
- Conventional Medicine
- Nutrition
- Exercise
- Botanical Medicine
- Vitamins/Supplements
- Manual Medicine (Osteopathy, Massage, PT, Chiropractic, Reflexology)
- Whole Body Systems (Traditional Chinese Medicine -TCM/Acupuncture, Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Homeopathy)
- Spirituality
- Mind-Body Medicine (Hypnosis, Biofeedback, Guided Imagery)
Integrative Medicine is a grass roots movement rising to answer the call to improve our healthcare system and wellbeing of our population. Andrew Weil, MD, arguably the most respected proponent of this movement, established a training program through the University of Arizona in 2000. The program has achieved international recognition as the leading integrative medical education program in the world. The fellowship has graduated over 500 IM practitioners with several practicing right here in Maine. Integrative Medicine is healthcare of the future, happening right now.
Dr. Donnelly practices integrative medicine in Portland. Information about his practice is available at www.theMCIM.com.
ELM™ | Maine
