I recently received a letter from a reader that reinforced to me that our work is moving the needle. She gave me permission to share her story with you:
 
“On my first visit, I showed the new doctor your book and said this book matches what I believe about my health. She [the doctor] took the book, flipped through it, read me some passages, took a picture of the cover and said, ‘This is really good. People do need to understand how critical they are in the staying healthy and healing process.’ Eureka! I had just found a doctor.”
 
Janet Johnston had been struggling to find a provider who would partner with her in her health journey, rather than doling out prescriptions. She called my book “powerful, life changing”. Why? Because it helped her to build a relationship with a provider to manage her chronic conditions.
 
I recently had the honor of speaking about this on Warren Olney’s show “To the Point” in an episode called “Does universal health care have a future?”. I explained how we need to build a chronic care system that meets the changing needs of our aging population. These chronic conditions are complex, multi-factorial and can’t be solved with a pill or procedure. They require an approach that includes all the determinants of health. Additionally, to be successful the patient-provider relationship must be at its core.  Listen to the show
 
Relationship-centered care is not only a best practice, but it is why I, as a clinician, went to medical school. It energizes me when I start to feel drained and it keeps me from feeling the burnout that is so pervasive in the health care field. It will help your doctor prevent burnout and provide you with better healthcare.
 
On my speaking tour, I meet patients who ask me: “How can I find a doctor like you?” My answer is to do just what Janet did. Work in partnership with your existing provider. Give them my book. Tell them that you would like to do a HOPE Note.
 
Feedback from my patients, readers like Janet, and people I meet on my speaking tours reinforce to me that integrative health is what is best for patients and what they want. It is the best kind of healthcare reform – one you can do now. Let’s work together to fill the gap to make integrative health care possible and practical.

Be well,