Collaborative Care

Integrated Health Clinic ^TM is a national leader in the collaboration between varied healthcare providers.  We are proud of the incredible talent that we have here at IHC - Naturopathic Physicians, Chiropractors, Medical Doctors, Clinical Counsellors, Lab technicians and Registered Nurses, Shiatsu Massage Therapsists, and Colon Hydrotherapists. 

The close working relationship between our ND's and MD's is what is most unique.  It has been a common misconcepton that these two fields of medicine have been historically divergent.  The fact is, until the time of the Framingham report, there was no divergence whatever.  ND's and MD's actually share many more similarites than differences - and when used together in the best interest of the patient - a truly special healthcare is provided to the patients.

The difference between the approaches of naturopathic and allopathic physicians is not derived from a divergence in medical knowledge, but rather in treatment protocols.  The MD typically places a medical emphasis on treating or managing the effects of pathological processes using medications, surgery and/or some physical treatments.  The ND, however, emphasizes preventing and correcting the root cause of pathological processes, combining a wider variety of therapeutic modalities, including medications, in a broad, patient-centred approach.  Both disciplines are guided by scientific, evidence-based approaches to treatment and intervention.  In addition, both disciplines evolve with advances and changes in science and technology.

This sentiment, that healthcare providers working together is the future of the healthcare system, was clearly the case in the BC Ministry of Health's recent "Conversations on Health" campaign.  British Columbians want to see a health care system in which there is close collaboration between ND's, MD's and all other allied health professionals.  A system in which prevention is the base and evidence-based natural therapies, exercise programs, and sound nutritional advice are prescribed whenever possible.  Of course complimeting the judical use of modern medicine's drugs and surgical options.  People are looking for exactly what it is that we have, an Integrated Health Clinic ^TM.

All of our heatlhcare providers share this same collaborative relationship.  Our healthcare providers meet regularly to discuss patient cases that they are working on together, always working together for the health of our patients.