Q: What is Integrative Medicine?
A: Integrative medicine can be defined as a healing-oriented medical practice that combines mainstream medical practices and complementary-alternative-medicine (CAM) therapies for which there is high-quality scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness. This form of practicing medicine combines the best of conventional and CAM systems, addressing the whole person- spirit, mind, and body- including all aspects of lifestyle. In this approach, the partnership between patient and practitioner in the healing process is greatly valued and encouraged. The priority in choosing the treatment approach is given to the use of natural, less-invasive, effective therapies to facilitate the body’s innate healing response. In integrative medicine, the promotion of health and the prevention of illness is valued as much as the treatment of diseases.
Q: What does being board certified in integrative medicine mean?
A: This is a very important question and patients need to find out if their health care providers are board-certified in the area they practice. Board certification is one of the easiest and best ways to discover a doctor’s qualification in a given field. Board certification in the field of integrative medicine has gone through considerable evolution over the past several years. Until a few years ago, there was not a unified national board certification for integrative medicine practitioners. This caused uncertainty in this field making it hard to set standards for practicing integrative medicine and to verify who was qualified to practice integrative medicine. Since then, however, a nationally recognized board certification process has been implemented through the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS). Such a certification, according to ABPS “enables successful candidates to present themselves to the public as qualified medical specialists in the practice of Integrative Medicine. Completing the Integrative Medicine board certification indicates mastery of the specialty experience and knowledge as well as a professional commitment to adhere to the ABPS Medical Code of Ethics.”
Q: If I become a patient, does that mean we have to stop seeing my pediatrician/PCP?
A: No. You are actually required to have a PCP for physicals, immunizations, regular exams, and emergency visits.
Q: Can you be our child’s regular pediatrician as in for check-ups, vaccinations, etc.?
A: No. CICKids is set up not a primary care clinic, we do not provide routine physical exams and our providers are not on call.
Q: My child has been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD can you help?
A: Yes, I have treated many patients with this diagnosis over the years. The first step is to look at ADHD, NOT as a mental illness but as a variant of the normal mental condition while making sure we have an accurate diagnosis and address any concurrent conditions and issues.
Q: Can you help my daughter with polycystic ovarian disorder (PCOS)?
A: Yes, we can help.
Q: My child is suffering from anxiety and I don’t want to start him off on medications just yet. Can we schedule a consultation with you?
A: Yes, my preference with the treatment of any mental/behavioral issues is to be involved in the care of such patients from the start including in choosing prescription medications, if at all possible.
Q: What tests do you use? Is there a thing such as a “typical test”?
A: Each patient is unique. Based on their condition, we might recommend a combination of blood tests as well as stool, urine tests, saliva tests, etc. An effort is made to order tests that are better covered by patient’s insurance, however, some tests might not be covered fully and be considered “out of network”. There is not such a thing as a “typical test”, tests are chosen during the and as part of the medical consultation with patients and their parents.
Q: What sorts of things do you utilize in the treatment of conditions? Do you use supplements such as herbs and vitamins? Do you use customized compounded medications?
A: Each patient’s treatment regimen is highly individualized. Any of the above questioned therapeutic modalities such as supplements and compounded medications/supplements may be utilized. In choosing the treatment approach, the priority is given to the use of natural, less-invasive, effective therapies to facilitate the body’s innate healing response.
Q: Do you believe in involving the whole family in the treatment plan or do you only treat the child?
A: Absolutely. A partnership between patients, their families, and practitioner in the healing process is greatly valued and encouraged.
Q: Do you accept insurance? How about Medicare/Medicaid?
A: We do not contract with any insurance company, including Medicare or Medicaid. Our services are considered “out of network“. You will be given itemized codes for each office visit charges, at the end of each visit, and it will be your responsibility to file with your insurance company for reimbursement.
Q: How does one come to see you? What are the steps? How do I make an appointment?
A: The first step is to call 919-869-6661 for more information and to make an appointment for an initial visit consultation.