It can be taxing to go to multiple healthcare appointments and attempt to keep track of and coordinate all of your care from numerous doctors and specialists. You go to one doctor for your body, a therapist for your mind, another for nutrition, a specialist for exercise and you are the one that needs to coordinate and make sure all your care team is informed in your care as they may not be effectively communicating together without your intervention. The integrated health care model aims to help simplify your care and create a united team to help with your whole body, mind and social determinants of health. It is a more connected way of treating the entire person and not just isolated conditions or illnesses.
Integrated care means you have a team who is collaborating and sharing information, coordinating care, and making informed decisions about your overall health. Your team of doctors, nurses, therapists, social workers and nutritionists to name a few, focus on you as a whole person not just one particular symptom or illness. Instead of having appointments at various clinics or getting different advice from several clinicians, everything is coordinated and centered around your needs. You the patient are at the center of your care process, and your preferences, values, and needs are respected and prioritized.
A big focus of integrated healthcare is prioritizing the mind- body connection. Think about it, when you are stressed or anxious, you feel it in your whole body. You might get a headache, have trouble sleeping, have a racing heart or feel extra fatigued. If you have a chronic illness or are in pain this can also affect your mental health. Treating your physical illness only and not the effects of the stress you are feeling can leave you feeling unhealthy and not happy. For example, if you have diabetes, you will be working with your doctor on blood sugar control and other aspects of the disease, a dietitian on meal planning and nutrition and a therapist to help with the mental component of your chronic disease. Keeping your care connected helps with overall management of your health. With this type of care, there is one plan, and all providers are working together to create your plan – they are a team that will share your health records, safely and securely as they work together to make a clear, simple plan that you can understand and follow. With a collaborative team, there is less confusion, few repeated or unnecessary tests and better outcomes. Together your care team will track your progress and provide updates to your care plan as needed, always keeping you at the center of the care process.
Good health is looking at the whole picture which includes not only medicine and treating disease but also includes things such as eating healthy, having safe housing, managing stress, getting exercise and having social support to name a few. Think of integrated care as care that supports your whole life and you as a whole person, not just as a patient or not just as your illness or disease. You will feel more supported in this type of atmosphere as you build a real relationship with your care team.
Let’s take a look at a real-life example: Meet Maria, a 45-year-old mom of 3 children who is dealing with high blood pressure, stress, and back pain. In a traditional system, Maria would have to meet with multiple doctors in different locations, and she would be the one making sure her team is communicating with each other, which can lead to increased stress. In an integrated care clinic, she has:
- A doctor managing her blood pressure
- A physical therapist helping with her back pain
- A counselor helping her manage her stress
- A social worker helping her find childcare support
Her care team is working together to help Maria feel better, both her mind and body!
Integrated care is an improved approach to overall health. Whether you are dealing with a chronic illness, mental health struggles, or just trying to live your healthiest life, having a team that works together can help simplify things and can make a big difference in your overall health.