I'll take a side of yoga, please

I had a fellow pharmacist send me a message the other day asking about my story and if I practice in a “conventional” or “integrative” way.

By definition, conventional medicine refers to modern medicine as we know it (“Western” medicine) and integrative medicine refers to a combining of conventional medicine with other complementary therapies in order to treat the whole person, including their mental and social health instead of just their physical ailment (think: yoga, mindfulness exercises and herbal supplements).1

[ Integrative = Conventional + Complementary/Non-conventional ]

I responded to my colleague that I was open to both, but as I took some time to really think about it I realized that my answer should have been “neither.”

Why?

Because, honestly, it isn’t a patient advocate’s place to “practice” any kind of medicine. My goal is to be an extra set of eyes and ears for people in medical crisis who need someone to advocate for their best interests. To treat them the way I would treat a favorite uncle, aunt or friend going through the same set of circumstances. This applies whether the idea of acupuncture is appealing to them or just sounds like a waste of resources. As a pharmacist, I wasn’t trained to order an MRI, perform an appendectomy or teach Tai Chi. We can’t all do everything! And that’s exactly the point:

I am trained to look at a medication chart and quickly locate potential interactions and issues, figure out a solution, and implement an action plan to fix the problem.

I am trained to act as an interpreter between patients and providers - quickly shifting gears between complex medical jargon and common conversation in order to bridge communication gaps.

I am trained to navigate insurance issues like medication denials, prior authorizations, and impossible to afford copays.

I am trained to navigate the masses of ever changing information we have about new medications and guidelines - objectively evaluating the source for accuracy and reliability.

I am trained to speak to other providers in a way that facilitates trust, communicates facts clearly and keeps the good of the patient at the forefront of the conversation.

I am comfortable navigating hospitals and medical charts, addressing errors and organizing chaos.

Most of us have areas that we excel in, have trained for, and know like the back of our hand. I know medicine. I know the medical world and its capacity for great good and its potential for terrible errors. I am also someone who personally believes in the power of prevention, prayer, and therapy…with some yoga on the side (and yes, I know it costs extra)!

A good advocate will act like a map or atlas (Ha! See what I did there??!) - they will give you useful information and tools to bring clarity and help you feel empowered to make great decisions for yourself. Whatever mode of medicine you have decided to participate in, I would love to come alongside you or your loved one as a source of support on the journey to wellness.

Krista@atlasadvocates.com

1. National Institutes of Health, April 2021, https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/complementary-alternative-or-integrative-health-whats-in-a-name