Integrative Medical Business: The Better the Business Practice, the Better the Medical Practice

There is an increasing demand in North America, Europe, Asia, and many other markets for Integrative Medicine. Integrative Medicine (IM) is healing-oriented medicine that takes account of the whole person, including all aspects of lifestyle. It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship between practitioner and patient, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapies.

With the increasing demand for better medical solutions and practical medical integration comes a new pressure that doctors and specialists face. How to run their practices better, faster and more efficiently while treating their patients ever complex needs and demands.

As an executive coach and business owner, many of my own client’s needs require us to work hand in hand with Integrative Medical Practitioners to ensure the best solution for our clients. My job is to help leaders become the best version of themselves possible. Many of them face challenges that directly impact their health, as well as their performance and ability to be the leaders they are committed to. Often my clients suffer from addictions, eating disorders, anxiety, cancer and many other medical conditions which require them to seek care with an integrative health care doctor.

In neuroscience and ontology we are looking at the entire picture of the client. What is driving their behaviors in both positive and negative ways? When there is an underlying medical issue it can often cloud our judgments and change our behaviors.

This corollary is true for Doctors and Practitioners, many of whom are running businesses, but that isn’t why they go into medicine. Most practitioners enter the field of medicine because they are passionate about making a difference. This holds true for business leaders as well. The same driving force and passion for making a difference is what makes great leaders and great doctors. For some medical professionals however, they are not taught how to be great business leaders so that their practices can thrive and treat more patients successfully. 

Running a medical practice is no different than running a business. To be able to impact more patients, and help more people requires the ability to transform the business of medicine.

Attracting the right staff, creating a culture of accountability and responsibility where everyone is pulling for the success of the practice will ultimately lead to more success for the patients. Good business and Good medicine are not mutually exclusive. They too need to be integrated.

Doctors and Health Care Practitioners are amongst the highest stressed groups across professions. The hours are long. The pressure to run a lucrative business is high, and the demands and needs of patients are complex. Just like in business, good coaches can help practices run more effectively, reduce the stress placed on staff and health care professionals while improving the overall business of the practice with the ultimate goal in mind to improve patient outcomes.

The top Integrative Health practices have the following:

• An empowering vision for the practice
• A consistent & inclusive organizational culture
• A strategic plan to ensure the culture and the people are aligned

When practices utilize good business strategies and align their culture, you will see an improvement overall in the health of the care providers, as well as the patient outcomes.

Creating a lucrative, innovative practice is not as complicated as it sounds. First and foremost, what do you want your practice to be known for? Why did you enter the field of medicine in the first place? Stay true to your core values and the practice will be built around your fundamental beliefs.

We are all shaped by our thoughts and feelings. Our past experience creates our perceptions of what is possible and not possible. To really create a new innovative practice, you must also examine some of the beliefs that shape how you run your business. Assumptions in business kills countless great ideas. Being adaptable, means being curious.

Ask the tough questions:

• Are you being curious about your business or are you running it based on a traditional view which may be limiting what is possible?
• What is the culture you have created in your business? Are people being held accountable through fear tactics or do they truly feel that their contributions are appreciated and valued?
• What systems do you have in place which are lacking efficiency and creative solutions?
• What is your niche? Capitalize on your strengths and focus on those elements of your practice which make you different and unique.
• How are you creating diverse wealth strategies in the practice?
• Who is taking care of you and of your staff? What elements do you have in place to ensure that the health of your practice starts with the wellness of your people?

The business of health is just as important as the care! Innovative medicine and innovative business practices create better outcomes and better solutions for patients, caregivers and practitioners. If you want the best solutions for you and your patients, make certain that you are taking care of yourself and your business first!

If you are on the plane, and the oxygen mask drops down, your job is to put the mask on you first before you assist anyone else. It’s not different with your business. If you take care of your core fundamentals you too will have the thriving practice you desire.

When you became a doctor, or medical practitioner, the fundamental driver for making a difference is the exact same one that makes great businesses. Integrate your reason for doing what you do every day with how to do that better and more effectively and you will find not only that you thrive but so do your patients and staff! If you find yourself stuck, as we all do from time to time, reach out to a great coach or mentor and ask for help! 

About the Author:

Christine Nielsen is a Bachelor of Arts Honors graduate from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where her studies focused on Economics. Christine speaks internationally for both companies and large groups of business leaders. Christine incorporates over 20 years in the field of behaviour, neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and adaptation to help individuals and leaders create new ways of performing. On top of her academic and professional success, Christine is a proud mother of three beautiful and talented children when she isn’t supporting her daughter at dance competitions, she can be found at a rink cheering on her sons.

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