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The Benefits of Integrative Medicine

Integrative Medicine ABOIMImagine, if you will, what it’s like to go to a physician today. Typically, if you stop by the doctor’s office, it’s because you’re feeling under the weather and you need help diagnosing and treating your illness. This episodic care typifies the healthcare services that are offered in North America, and the system works well, for the most part. What makes integrative medicine unique, however, is that it takes a slightly different approach to patient care. Integrative medicine seeks to improve an individual’s overall health by combining the best practices of Eastern and Western medicine in an attempt to prevent a condition from developing in the first place.

One of the best ways to look at integrative medicine is as a medical specialty that encourages the use any treatment available to better the patient. Integrative medicine practitioners are licensed physicians who have completed extensive formal medical school training, but have also gone the extra mile to become extremely well versed in complementary and alternative medicine.

Another important aspect of integrative medicine is that it views the patient and physician as partners who must work collaboratively to help identify ways to improve the patient’s overall health. This might include something as simple as a change in diet and the use of natural remedies, or it might entail a commitment from the patient to enroll in therapeutic stretching techniques, like yoga, or to schedule semi-frequent massage sessions. It depends entirely on the patient, but the goal of integrative medicine is to find the right combination of treatments to make the patient as healthful as they possibly can be.

Across the country, patients are responding well to integrative medicine because they recognize the benefits to developing a close relationship with their physician. It can provide incredible peace of mind to know that you have someone to turn to when you’re feeling sick, but also someone who will help you be the best version of yourself. At the American Board of Integrative Medicine® (ABOIM), we offer board certification to highly trained integrative medicine practitioners and are proud to support this fast-growing medical specialty. The ABOIM is a Member Board of the American Board of Physician Specialties®, one of the recognized multi-specialty, physician certifying organizations in North America.

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Medical organizations throughout North America understand that our rigorous certification standards prove that ABPS Diplomates are capable of delivering the best patient care possible.

When I decided to pursue a full time role as a physician executive it was important to me to obtain additional professional training, education and work experience. Board certification through the ABPS in Administrative Medicine is validation of my efforts and a demonstration of dedication to professional development. We need more physicians to become full time health care executives, knowing there is a board certification option in Administrative Medicine encourages physicians to take the leap from full time clinical practice to healthcare organizational leadership.

Richard Paula, MD
Administrative Medicine
The American Board of Physician Specialties has provided me with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of internal medicine through board certification. As a hospitalist, board certification is an expected credential, and hospitals recognize the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) as one of the three standard credentialling bodies for Internal Medicine. Additionally, the ABPS has helped me develop leadership skills as a Board member and Committee Chairperson. ABPS has also helped me sharpen critical thinking skills as a test question developer and reviewer. The Allopathic (MD) and Osteopathic (DO) physicians in the ABPS are lifelong learners and frequently pursue multiple board certifications. I enjoy the camaraderie of my peers in ABPS.

Loren Jay Chassels, DO
Internal Medicine
When I think historically, advancement in medicine and patient safety and care has been driven by the diversity of people and scientific thought. That’s what I found at the ABPS and more. For over 60 years that is just who we are. I found a physician certifying body that provides a choice and voice to all physicians ensuring that patients are always placed first.

Jerry Allison, MD
Emergency Medicine
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