Practitioner KEYS to the Future of Functional Medicine

I had the great pleasure of a few minutes on stage – live – at the Functional Forum’s (FF) December gathering in Manhattan.  (In case you’re not familiar, the FF is the largest ongoing, online hub of functional medicine practitioners, especially physicians.)  With this audience in particular, I wanted to highlight what I know to be absolutely critical for the success of functional medicine in transforming healthcare:  the inclusion of practitioners in the medical team as a standard practice.

We’ll post the video for you when we receive it, but for now, I hope you find the summary text of my talk inspiring.  In 2017, you will see me involved more and more in the leadership of this movement.  And I hope you keep stretching yourself in 2017 to confidently thrive on the frontier of this movement for Good Medicine.  Whether you are trained as a nurse, a nutritionist, a physician, or a practitioner, we are ALL needed in order to make this powerful combination a new standard.  Indeed, you’ve heard me say it before:  functional medicine alone is not enough.  I believe it is the integration of functional medicine and practicing that will finally, fully transform healthcare.

So grateful and inspired to be on this journey with you –

 

 

 

 

Practitioner KEYS to the Future of Functional Medicine 

“We all Know that When the wisdom of Functional Medicine is actually implemented by a patient, their lives can be powerfully transformed.  I mentor and teach functional medicine to practitioners.  And in the past two weeks alone,

• I have spoken with a practitioner who has helped a woman with long-standing vitiligo to experience some re-pigmentation for the first time ever.  This woman was so moved initially with relief that she couldn’t even speak through her tears.
• Another colleague shared the latest of several examples of reversing Type 2 diabetes by addressing the insulin resistance at its root.  This latest one a proud grandma who now not only no longer requires her prior insulin or metformin…but will now likely avoid who-knows-what downstream cardiovascular complications.
• Another practitioner specializes in alleviating entrenched IBS and shared a recent victory for a man who is having regular bowel movements and being cramp-free without medication for the first time in years.

If you are a long-time follower or practitioner of functional medicine, then none of these examples of healing surprises you.  However, what might surprise you is that in every case I just noted, the practitioner who facilitated the healing is a Practitioner.

The Evolution of Medicine teaches a progressive business model for the medical practice that allows functional medicine to – at last! – (1) be sustainable time-wise, (2) be profitable financially, and (3) be maximally effective in helping patients.   I believe a key that will turn the lock of possibility on all three of these fronts is adding practitioners to every medical team.

• In terms of time, practitioners free the physician to focus on analysis and diagnosis while the coach has time to provide detailed patient education, explaining what interconnected dynamic are happening in a patient’s unique body and how to implement the therapies you’ve prescribed, and answering follow-up Q&A.
• In terms of profit, practitioners on the team free up physicians to handle many more new client intake and assessment.
• In terms of effectiveness, practitioners provide skills in patient rapport, empowerment, and accountability that truthfully is much better than what a physician can usually provide.  Because it’s their expertise.

Certainly, there are many impressive examples of this integration of functional medicine and practice, including Dr. Frank Lipman and Dr. Robin Berzin’s practices right here in New York.  My experience, however, is that many physicians who need help in this vein are hesitant or resist adding practitioners to their practice.  And what I most want you to know is that practitioners can be trained to be very competent in the practical application of functional medicine such that they not only speak the language and fit in with your medical team, but they can bring a unique clinical perspective and make all the difference as to whether or not your patients get well. 

After all, the best functional medicine diagnosis in the world is no value at all if the patient isn’t actually inspired and supported in order to implement what will help them to find wellness.

Coaches are key to making functional medicine sustainable. Coaches are key to patient implementation. 

I believe it is the integration of functional medicine and practicing that will finally, fully transform healthcare.