Integrative medicine puts the patient at the center of their health “story”. The difference between conventional medicine and integrative medicine is illuminated in the difference between treating and healing. A medical treatment plan includes the types of diagnostic testing, surgical or drug interventions and some options for self-care. An integrative plan looks at the physical, emotional, mental, social, spiritual and environmental factors that affect a person’s health. It treats each person in a holistic manner with needs of mind, body and spirit at the heart of the plan.
The Bravewell Collaborative is a force to be reckoned with in this area. A philanthropic organization, they live and breathe to stimulate a widespread conversation about prevention and patient-centered care – and the public-private collaborations that will make that a reality. To quote a leading proponent of integrative healthcare: “They passionately want medicine to return to its soul, the altruistic call to service that treats the whole person in the context of one’s community”.
Bravewell has developed a patient bill of rights that captures their quest. As an individual, you have:
• The right to person-centered care.
• The right to receive health care that addresses the wholeness of who you are—body, mind and spirit in the context of community.
• The right to a health care system that focuses on prevention and wellness.
• The right to be empowered as the responsible, central actor in your own healing.
• The right to education about self-care that includes access to scientifically-based nutrition, exercise and mind-body interventions.
• The right to a healing relationship with your health care provider that is grounded in humanism, compassion and caring.
• The right to speak openly and honestly with your health care providers and in return, to experience honest and supportive communications from all members of the health care community.
• The right to a health care environment that recognizes that to be healing and empowering, health care providers themselves must seek to be restored and whole.
• The right to embrace the spiritual dimension in the context of your health care.
• The right to health care providers who understand that integrity and spiritual qualities are as important as medical knowledge and technical skills in the process of healing.
• The right to a truly integrative medicine that is supported by rigorous scientific research, maintains the highest standards of excellence, and offers a full and complete array of care modalities.
• The right to healing even when there is no cure.
• The right to be whole.
So inspiring and humane!