Increasingly, we are seeing physicians embracing alternative forms of medicine and healing to treat their patients. These products and techniques can enhance the level of care provided to patients while providing revenue and differentiation opportunities for the clinic. Wikipedia describes alternative medicine as a healing practice that that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine. The same article goes on to describe integrated and integrative medicine as using alternative approaches to healing in conjunction with traditional medicine.
Some areas of treatment “integrative medicine” physicians are offering include:
- Detoxification
- Anti-aging therapy
- Weight management
- Hormone therapy
- Stress management
- Cancer care
Organizations like the American Association of Integrative Medicine seek to organize practitioners around a more holistic approach to medicine. Much of the focus is around prevention therapies rather than simply reacting to health issues after they’ve occurred. Many physicians I speak with are focusing on evidence-based therapies that have been proven in clinical practice.
Often, pharmaceutical dispensing is coordinated with dietary supplements and other natural therapies. Most of these therapies are not reimbursed so patients will be self-pay clients for the clinic.
