Do you want a health care or a sick care system?
During the shift in seasons and weather, our health becomes top of mind! But have you ever stopped to think about how traditional health care might actually just be perpetuating sick care?
In this article written by Heidi Arens, a NP who focuses on functional well care with her patients, you can learn about some of the major differences.
How do you want to approach your health journey?
If you have any firsthand experience as a consumer of the U.S. health care system, you likely have come to realize that navigating this system is no walk in the park. This is especially true if you have complex chronic conditions requiring multiple specialists, a myriad of mystery symptoms, or unfavorable responses to the standard of care treatment protocols.
One of the explanations for this is that our traditional health care system is based on an acute care model that was originally designed to address acute and common issues of short duration, such as infections, injuries, traumas, and medical emergencies. Arguably, the U.S. has some of the best outcomes worldwide pertaining to emergency and trauma care.
Most Americans today, however, are not burdened with acute illness, but live with multiple complex chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, autoimmune disease, cancer or mental illness. Americans are now getting sick younger and are living longer with chronic illness. Unfortunately, the acute care model of medicine has not adapted its treatment approach to accommodate the burden of chronic illness that exists today. The same model that was used to treat infections is being used to treat complex chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. This approach to medicine has contributed to a health care system that reactively manages sickness rather than proactively creates health.
Fortunately, many Americans today are recognizing the gaps in our current system and are actively seeking better solutions. Instead of waiting for disease to occur and then “managing it,” with band-aids and quick fixes, people are hungry to learn how to create and sustain health in every stage of life. Creating health requires a different approach — one that is patient-centered and focuses on addressing the whole person (body, mind, spirit), not just an isolated set of symptoms. This approach reaches beyond the exam room and evaluates the interactions among genetics, environment, biochemistry, diet, lifestyle, social relationships, meaning and purpose, all of which influence long-term health. Additionally, this approach fosters the integrity of the patient-provider partnership and its role in equipping people with knowledge, tools, and resources to help them make the best educated decisions regarding the health of themselves and their family.
Health is not just the absence of disease but the presence of vitality.
We invite you to join us as we seek to create a new model where optimal health is not only possible, but new standard.