John Weeks at theintegratorblog said it best: “If there is one must-read document on health reform to come out of the broader integrative practice community this year… it is 21st Century Medicine from the Institute for Functional Medicine. Sit down for an evening and let yourself learn.”

You can access 21st Century Medicine HERE.

What do you think? I am recommending this to anyone interested in the state of healthcare, and especially those in integrative care. It’s a brilliant, inspiring and very well-referenced document. If anything, read it to grab all those excellent citations.

I know Mark Hyman, MD and other IFM luminaries are hustling this document through the hallowed halls of the federal government, and it’s making an impression, from what I understand, on many lawmakers thinking. Indeed, the IFM textbook was spotted on some famous person’s desk up there on Capitol Hill, dog-eared, highlighted and sticky-noted. Someone involved in healthcare reform. I just can’t remember who!

I will forward this to Mark and see if he’ll weigh in…

Of course, of BIG interest to me is integrating functional testing into preventative and chronic disease care. We’ve long talked about the Organix as being the “serum chem” of functional medicine (although it doesn’t and cannot replace a serum chem!) Our point is that it’s as integral to wellness as a serum chem. Comprende?

Talking about functional testing, as an aside: At my clinic, Advanced Diagnostic Pain Treatment Center, I work with patients with complex, chronic conditions. For a number of these individuals, I prefer an ION to just the Organix, along with conventional labs, to really cast a wide biochemical net. I use the IFM Matrix to organize my clinical and laboratory data, which helps enormously.

I am also interested in seeing us NDs participate in solving the national crisis in both chronic care and primary care doctor shortage. We’re a resource that can certainly be better-tapped. Indeed, there are many clinicians, including integrative medical doctors that are ready to step up and meet the need. The question is, will we be invited to do so?

Whether we like it or not, the time for some degree of political activity is NOW!