Integrative Medicine Patient Empowerment Explained
One of the guiding principles of Guardian Occupational Health is patient empowerment.
We believe people are not at the mercy of their bodies, surroundings, or even medical professionals...
Instead, we believe that everyone that walks through our doors should:
A) be empowered to take an active part in their healing
and
B) informed on the options available to them.
In other words, when you choose Guardian Occupational Health...
You are empowered as a patient to take your health into your own hands.
Let's discuss exactly what that means...
What is integrative medicine?
Guardian Occupational Health is an occupational medicine clinic. However, we also are closely partnered with mental health, nutritional health, and functional health practices.
Why?
Because we believe workers should be able to have the same comprehensive healthcare as CEOs and entrepreneurs .
Integrative medicine is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on whole person health issues for a better quality of life, rather than mere symptom treatment. Its main themes involve:
Dynamic therapeutic relationships
Diverse and complementary therapies
Important ongoing questioning
Health behavior change and a health coaching process
Goal setting and adjusting for goal attainment
Recognizing human mental and spiritual needs
That is a lot of medical jargon, but basically it means: "human health is more than medicine and surgery".
Rather than limiting ourselves to modern healthcare delivery models of disease control/disease management or mediating pain, be believe the role of the healthcare provider is to pursue a true enhancement of life experience for the patient.
However... that type of health promotion isn't something we can force on the patient. It is a goal can only be realized if there important ongoing questioning and communication strategies between healthcare providers and patients.
And that approach to primary care would be impossible without an empowerment process that allows for some patient control.
Guardian Occupational Health Believes in Integrative Medicine Patient Empowerment
What Makes Integrative Medicine Different from Conventional Medicine?
The role of provider care in integrative medicine is probably a lot different than the traditional medical care you are used to. But before we cover the differences, let me quickly relieve any worries about us being "weirdos".
With Guardian Occupational Health as your medical home, you still participate in the common clinical practices found in united states healthcare. We still:
Prescribe medication
Take X-Rays
Perform blood work
Send you to top local specialists
Suggest healthy diet and exercise
etc.
On the surface, it appears to be not so different from the doctors you have visited since you were a kid. Tested, tried, and true medical practices.
So if those who practice integrative medicine do normal medical stuff... how are they different?
Well, integrative medicine is unique in its combining of outcomes research and sustainable behavioral change. On top of
Treatment of core issues, rather than symptoms
Open-mindedness to many forms of medical care
Insistence on a connection between mental and physical health
Empowerment of the patient in the healing process
We will cover the first three in future blog posts... but that last one is our focus for this post: patient involvement and empowerment.
How the US Healthcare System Take Responsibility Away from Patients
We believe a lot of clinics, insurances, and institutions in the U.S. healthcare system robs patients of personal responsibility.
For someone with a hurt knee or lung damage from being on the job, that might sound like a GOOD thing. After all, who doesn't want to be taken car of up medical experts!
But here's the problem: when the patient is passive and has NO responsibility for their health, and the medical students, physcians, nurses, and doctors cannot work with the patient over a long period of time...
Healthcare become quick fixes of symptoms and nothing more.
Insurance structures add to this by prioritizing covered treatments, leading people to rely on doctors and approved drugs rather than making robust lifestyle changes. In plain language, they address what feels bad, rather than the bad things that make it bad.
This leaves patients chronically dependent on external solutions rather than assisting them in moving towards sustainable, healthy living. system often leaves patients dependent on external solutions rather than empowering them to manage their own health.
How Adv. Health Med Fails to Educate Patients
Additionally, the complexity of medical billing and insurance decisions can discourage people from actively understanding or managing their own care. There are two ways this happens:
Complex Pricing: Patients rarely know the full cost of services upfront, as fees vary by provider, insurance agreements, and even by region, leaving them in the dark about financial implications until after care is provided
Opaque Billing Practices: We've all experienced it: you open your mailbox and discover an unexpected bill or a denial of a claim, and figuring out WHY is requires 1 video chat, 7 phone calls, 9 hours waiting on the phone, and 13 emails.
Anyone can see that navigating the convoluted system makes taking ownership difficult...
But not educating patients on their options makes it IMPOSSIBLE.
If doctors are expected to help X number of patients every day, they often rush through your doctor visit, preventing you from asking clarifying questions. And Insurance companies frequently dictate which treatments are covered, sometimes steering patients toward less effective or generic options rather than the best possible care, without fully explaining these limitations.
This lack of transparency limits patients’ ability to make fully informed decisions, as they’re unable to weigh costs against benefits ahead of time. If patients often don't receive clear information on alternative treatments or preventive options, making it difficult to understand all available paths and make the best decision for their health.
Integrative Medicine = Patient Empowerment
But when a healthcare organization prioritizes holistic, functional medicine, patients are not just receiving care anymore... they are participating in their healing.
Think of it like a play or movie. With traditional American medicine, you would always be sitting in the audience, accepting the performance given to you. But with integrative medicine, patients aren't just spectators, but are also on the stage or big screen..
This change in perspective is what we mean by patient empowerment: the patient knows all the lines and gets to choose what direction the "story of their health" takes.
Its about being an active participant... not a passive recipient.
Why have patients take such a big role in their health?
They Know Their Bodies
For starters, patients offer important knowledge about their bodies and experiences. And if patients are being constantly told to "defer to the experts", then doctors never have access to that insider knowledge and often make subpar diagnosis and recommendations. And this insider knowledge extends to aspects of a patient's lifestyle, such as diet, exercise, stress management, and sleep habits.
Teamwork is Better
Integrative medicine practitioners motivate patients to ask questions in order to create a teamwork atmosphere. They need to know about and be educated on different options so they can understand their personal care plans. Here, individuals feel listened to, respected, and are empowered to make choices that fit their values and goals. As a result, they have knowledge and tools they need to assent to treatment plans.
They'll Believe in Treatment Plans
Additionally, when patients know more, they can take charge. Which makes sense... who wants to lead the way when they do not know who they are leading, where they are leading, or what dangers they may face! If they helped build the treament plan, then they are more likely to make lifestyle changes and have better health results
They Will Follow Through
For healthcare to truly work, self-care beyond the doctor's office. People need to develop daily habits that enhance their mental, emotional, and physical health. And when individuals feel more responsible for the plan for their well-being, they tend to follow treatment plans better.
Guardian Occupational Health Believes in Integrative Medicine Patient Empowerment
Conclusion: Integrative Medicine Patient Empowerment
Active participation can look different. It may include talking openly with doctors, learning about various treatment options, and taking part in self-care activities of their own choosing. By encouraging this involvement, integrative medicine helps people feel more in control of their health and well-being and build lasting wellness even for people suffering from chronic diseases.
