The Secret to Great Results in Functional Medicine

functionalmedicine healthcare lifestylechanges patientcare wellness May 27, 2024

Issues of Functional Medicine

One of the prevalent issues in functional medicine is the anxiety and concerns that patients often experience when consulting with a functional medicine doctor. Many patients feel their worries are not being addressed promptly, raising concerns about the cost of care, excessive supplements, and frequent lab tests.

The Core Focus of Functional Medicine

Unlike traditional approaches, functional medicine emphasizes treating the root cause of health issues rather than merely adding more supplements. Addressing the root cause is vital, as failure to do so can lead to worsening symptoms and limit treatment options. The goal of functional medicine is ambitious yet achievable: aiming for a 50 to 90% improvement in patient health within 3 to 6 months. This focus on durable results ensures long-lasting benefits for patients.

Moving Beyond Traditional Billing Methods

The limitations of traditional hourly consultative fees often leave patients feeling uncertain and frustrated. To combat this, functional medicine is gradually moving towards new models and programs designed to improve patient experience and provide better support and clarity throughout the healthcare process. Analogizing the approach to nurturing a tree gradually, these new systems aim to create a more comprehensive and supportive environment for patients.

Empowering Patients Through Education

A central tenet of functional medicine is to teach people how to not need medicine. Practitioners emphasize the importance of fundamental habits and lifestyle choices, which are often overlooked. For instance, a simple issue like dehydration could lead to significant health problems if not addressed. By focusing on such basics, functional medicine empowers patients to take charge of their health.

Accountability and Fundamental Habits

Accountability is crucial in achieving positive health outcomes. Neglecting fundamental habits often leads to worse outcomes, underlining the need for a strong foundation in basic health principles. Just as in parenting, where repetition and guidance are key, functional medicine practitioners reinforce fundamental habits to ensure patients adhere to them. Even highly paid professionals benefit from external guidance to maintain these practices.

The Role of Labs and Lifestyle Changes

While labs provide valuable data, lifestyle changes are essential for long-term results. Patients often find motivation in seeing their lab results on paper, which can reveal crucial health information, such as risk factors for stroke or heart disease. However, lasting improvements come from integrating lifestyle changes with the data provided by these lab tests.

Tailored Programs for Serious Health Issues

Addressing serious health problems requires more extensive time and resources. Functional medicine clinics offer a variety of experiences, transitioning to more inclusive programs that promise better results. It's important to set realistic expectations, as significant results often require a higher investment in time and resources.

Implementing a Discovery Call and Membership Evaluation

Modern medicine often falls short in addressing individual needs comprehensively. Functional medicine introduces the concept of a discovery call and practice membership evaluation to understand individual needs and affordability. This helps develop a system to make intelligent recommendations for a program of care, protecting both patients and staff from unrealistic expectations and demands.

By setting realistic expectations through these evaluations, functional medicine aims to provide a more tailored and effective healthcare experience for each patient. This comprehensive approach ensures that patients receive the care and support they need to achieve and maintain optimal health.

In summary, navigating functional medicine involves addressing patient anxieties, focusing on the root cause of health issues, empowering patients, and ensuring accountability. By integrating labs and lifestyle changes, and providing tailored programs, functional medicine sets a clear path toward lasting health and well-being.