Innovative hybrid-model Integrative Medicine Practice: The future of healthcare is here
- Lea H. Brainerd, PA-C, PCC
- Nov 11, 2022
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 15, 2022
Introduction
Our current healthcare system is failing people with addictions, mental health conditions, and chronic illnesses. We have fragmented programs that don't offer holistic care, and most patients don't receive the treatment they need to live healthy lives. The solution I am proposing is sparingly available throughout the U.S., hence why we are such an unhealthy nation: integrated addiction rehabilitation services, mental health care providers, and physical wellness specialists into one holistic model of care that treats multiple aspects of disease in an integrated way. If we're going to improve outcomes for patients facing these issues, we need to look at the root causes of illness instead of just treating symptoms or providing temporary fixes through medication or therapy sessions.
Mental health and addiction rehabilitation services are fragmented and often ineffective.
Many people with substance use disorders also have mental health problems. However, they are often not addressed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, even though they can contribute to relapse or make recovery more difficult. This makes sense when you consider that the two conditions are highly interrelated: research shows that up to 50 percent of individuals with one or both conditions will eventually experience symptoms of the other disorder. Because these disorders require lifetime care, they must be addressed together rather than separately for treatment to be successful. Often, dual-diagnosis treatment centers are replaced with "co-occurring" treatment centers for patients who desperately need a fully comprehensive approach and treatment plan to fight the ugly disease of addiction and mental illness.
We don't currently have a way to treat the "whole" person with integrated mental health and wellness services. Patterns of disease are complicated and interconnected, with symptoms manifesting differently in each person.
This is a major problem because it's not just about treating addiction, an anxiety disorder, or even both at once. It's about treating the whole person—their physical health, their mental health, and their overall wellness—to ensure they're getting everything they need from medical professionals.
There are many reasons why we need more affordable healthcare: Uninsured patients who can't afford treatment are less likely to seek help for their conditions than those who do have insurance coverage; thus leading to higher rates of untreated conditions among this population group.
More people without insurance means less revenue coming in from premiums paid by policyholders; therefore there isn't enough money in the system for providers like hospitals or doctors' offices who provide care when someone needs it most urgently but doesn't have any other options available besides going without treatment altogether (or worse yet...self-medicating).
Accessibility of services is another barrier that prevents those who need assistance most from seeking help sooner rather than later (or even never)."
Patterns of disease are complicated and interconnected, with symptoms manifesting differently in each person.
* People have different experiences with the same disease.
* People with the same disease can have different experiences.
* People with the same experience can have different diseases.
We need an easier way to access holistic care.
Integrative care is not available everywhere.
Integrative care is often prohibitively expensive.
Integrative care is not covered by insurance, except for a few exceptions, like Medicare Advantage plans that cover mental health and substance use disorder treatment in some cases.
Even when it's available, integrative care is rarely accessible to those who need it most due to its geographic and financial barriers (e.g., rural areas).
These challenges have resulted in a vast disparity between those who can afford access to the best treatments and those who can't—a problem exacerbated by inequities of race, class, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, and disability status.
The future of healthcare is integrated, holistic, cost-efficient care that addresses the root causes of illness.
Integrative medicine is a healthcare model that combines conventional medical treatment with complementary and alternative medicine. Holistic health is a way of thinking about health that focuses on the whole person, rather than just treating specific symptoms.
An integrated wellness model can help us better understand individual patterns of illness.
Integrative medicine is a growing trend in healthcare, but it's not widely available. An integrated wellness model provides an opportunity to build a holistic understanding of the person, the patient, and their needs. This approach can be useful for individuals with complex health needs who are seeking care that goes beyond conventional medicine alone.
Many people facing addiction or poor mental health also experience physical health problems, but they're usually not addressed or treated as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Many people facing addiction or poor mental health also experience physical health problems, but they're usually not addressed or treated as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
In addition to mental and addiction issues, people facing these challenges also often have physical health problems. However, they are rarely addressed or treated as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Many people with substance use disorders also experience diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Mood disorders like depression or anxiety can affect your overall health by impacting sleep patterns and appetite control. When you're experiencing poor mental health, it's hard to care for yourself and make healthy choices about what you eat or how much exercise you get each day—and this can lead to further illness over time.
If a patient has other issues affecting their ability to live a healthy life, like housing insecurity, food insecurity, the loss of a job or family member, they need additional support and assistance
If a patient has other issues affecting their ability to live a healthy life, like housing insecurity, food insecurity, or the loss of a job or family member, they need additional support and assistance.
An integrated model must also address physical health issues—including chronic diseases such as diabetes and asthma; cardiovascular disease; cancer; pain management; sleep disorders; nutrition therapy.
We need to treat mental health and addiction as chronic conditions that require a lifetime approach to care.
Mental health and addiction are chronic conditions that can require a lifetime approach to care. Our practice is designed to provide individualized treatment plans for patients and their families based on the latest research. At each center, we use evidence-based approaches for diagnosing and treating mental health disorders, substance use disorders, physical illnesses, chronic diseases, and preventative care.
We offer a range of services including:
- Psychiatric assessment, evaluation, & Medication Management
- Individual counseling and therapeutic technique sessions
- Group counseling sessions (online - coming soon)
- Mind-body Integrative Medicine Primary Care
- Life and Wellness Coaching
- Brain Coaching/Training
- Nutrition and fitness planning
- At-home labs and diagnostic testing (allergies/sensitivities, hormonal panels, general panels, specialty testing)
- GeneSight Testing
- Mail Order Pharmacy Option (2-day shipping)
- Social Connection/Listening Training (coming soon)
- More to come!
Our current healthcare system is not incentivized to integrate mental health and wellness models into standard care for patients with addictions.
Our current healthcare system is not incentivized to integrate mental health and wellness models into standard care for patients with addictions. The fragmentation of mental health services and the lack of access to integrated care are among the most significant barriers to effective treatment.
We need a new way of thinking about addiction treatment and recovery: one that supports comprehensive, integrative care beyond simply medication management.
There is extensive room for improvement in the way we address both common and complex diseases through more comprehensive care models that utilize all types of specialists to support each patient's unique pattern of symptoms and experiences
Integrative medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that recognizes the connection between body, mind, and spirit. It is not simply another buzzword or even synonymous with Alternative medicine— it is a more comprehensive way of thinking about our health in a way that provides optimal healing and wellness, which encompasses eclectic treatment options tailored to each individuals presentation and treatment plan: integrative medicine, life & health coaching, holistic alternative therapies, lifestyle wellness including nutrition, exercise, healthy lifestyle habits, mental health/addiction treatment/counseling, & more.
Life coaching is particularly useful in helping people find meaning in their lives by understanding what they want out of life and how they can get there. By focusing on mental health as well as addiction treatment, we can create lasting change that will last throughout someone’s life—not just during their recovery process
Conclusion
As healthcare continues to change, we need to be ready with solutions that can address the complex needs of our patients. Integrative wellness care is a crucial part of this shift, allowing people who have been struggling with mental health and addiction issues to get the help they need in one place. The good news is that we've already seen some healthcare providers embrace this model by incorporating holistic treatments into their offerings - now it's up to us as consumers to choose wisely and become empowered in our own health & wellness.
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Is receiving holistic, integrative healthcare important to you? Would you pay less for care without utilizing insurance?
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