Learn from Dr. Lisa M. Perry Portera, DC, Clinical Director LMRC about how to use resources from Lifestyle Matrix Resource Center to Build foundations for your lifestyle medicine practice.

Key takeaways:

  • Work with your patients on patient mindset; encourage progress over perfection.
    • Use empathy and understanding to anchor treatment plans to patient goals.
    • Implement lifestyle interventions and personalized nutrition for effective, patient-centered care.
    • Take advantage of ready-made patient-communication tools to help patients make essential lifestyle changes.
      • Consider the benefits of group visits to foster patient support and connection.
      • Make frequent touch-points with patients, especially those with complex health issues.
      • Use in-practice guides and education resources to engage patients and streamline your clinical decision making.

      Whether you're just starting out or already running your own practice as an integrative medicine clinician, building strong foundations for both your practice and your patients is key. Establishing a system for delivering clear, empowering patient communication can save physicians valuable time and energy, eliminating the need to constantly create patient education materials from scratch. In this blog, we'll explore how to build these foundations and help your patients reach their health goals by utilizing ready-made resources.

       

      Implementing Lifestyle Interventions and Personalized Nutrition

      Lifestyle medicine and nutrition are at the heart of any successful integrative practice. Start where your patients are, encouraging "progress over perfection" as they make lifestyle changes. Personalized nutrition recommendations that consider the patient's unique health status, goals, and preferences are key to achieving long-term success.

      LMRC’s Patient Handbooks can serve as a practical tool for guiding patients through these changes. Treat them as workbooks that patients can refer to during and between visits, which reinforces their understanding and commitment to their health plan.

      Empowerment Tip: Encourage patients to take small steps and celebrate their wins. Empower them by reinforcing that even incremental progress is valuable. This mindset can improve their confidence and motivation to stay on track.

       

      Engaging Patients Through Communication and Empathy

      The way you deliver information matters just as much as the information itself. The key to successful patient engagement is presenting information in a way that patients can understand and relate to. Empathy plays a huge role here—understanding your patient’s “why” helps anchor treatment plans to their personal goals and makes the process more meaningful.

      Regular touch points, especially in the early stages of treatment, are crucial for keeping patients on course. Follow-up appointments, phone calls, or even email check-ins can make all the difference in ensuring that your patients stay engaged with their care plan.

      The Power of Group Visits and Patient Support

      If you haven't yet incorporated group visits into your practice, it may be time to consider their potential benefits. Group visits provide a platform for patients to support and learn from each other, fostering a sense of community that can enhance their health outcomes.

      Patients often feel more motivated and empowered when they see others making progress alongside them. By building a supportive community within your practice, you can create an environment where patients feel connected and engaged in their healing journey.

       

      Celebrate Small Wins and Keep Patients Engaged

      Patients need to feel progress, no matter how small. Celebrate their achievements, whether it's adhering to dietary changes, increasing physical activity, or simply attending follow-up visits. These "small wins" help build momentum and keep patients motivated to continue their health journey.

      Follow-Up Tip: For complex patients, frequent touch points and consistent follow-ups are essential in keeping them engaged and ensuring they stay on track. Make follow-up plans a priority, especially in the first few weeks of treatment.

       

      Utilizing Clinical Protocol Guides and Patient Education Resources

      A well-structured practice relies on the proper use of resources to engage and educate patients. LMRC’s clinical protocol guidebooks (In-Practice Guides) and patient education materials are critical tools that can streamline your workflow and enhance patient understanding. These materials act as both a roadmap for your clinical decision-making and a communication tool to make complex health information more accessible to your patients.

      By using clinical textbooks, in-practice guides, patient handbooks, and Patient Education Pads, you can ensure your patients stay informed and engaged. These tools not only clarify treatment plans but also reinforce the steps patients need to take to improve their health.

      Pro Tip: Keep on hand Clinical Road Maps “textbooks”, by Tom Guilliams, PhD to stay updated with the latest research and best practices in functional and lifestyle medicine. This will not only enhance your credibility but will also ensure you're offering the most effective treatments to your patients.

       

      Final Thoughts: Building Relationships and Delivering Education

      Ultimately, building a successful integrative medicine practice is about creating strong, trusting relationships with your patients. Empathy, education, and regular communication form the backbone of this relationship. By implementing the clinical resources available through LMRC, utilizing in-practice guides, and focusing on personalized care, you can offer patients the tools they need to succeed while also setting your practice up for long-term growth.

      Remember—for yourself and for your patients—to start where you are, because where you are is enough.