WHAT IS INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE?
WHAT TYPES OF RESULTS HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED?
WHAT ARE THE COSTS FOR TREATMENT?
IS ANYTHING COVERED BY PROVINCIAL OR MY OWN HEALTH PLANS?
WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN THE WAY OF TREATMENTS?
HOW DO I BEGIN THE PROCESS?
• IMI INITIAL ENCOUNTER
• INFORMATION SESSIONS
• SPECIFIC CONCERNS
• HISTORY FORMS
WHAT IS INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE?
This is the combining of the best of conventional medicine with
alternative medicine to the maximum benefit of the patient. Because western medicine is only one of several types of medicine practiced in the world, its prospects for some illnesses may be somewhat limited by its scope whereas, when used in combination with other approaches, these same illnesses can often be simply or logically explained as well as treated.
WHAT TYPES OF RESULTS HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED?
IMI is dedicated to continually evaluating, researching and developing the most innovative of integrative medicine programs (I-MED programs). To this end, IMI is implementing a research/evaluative database of all clients who enter programs at the beginning, through and after active treatment. This allows for accurate reporting of outcomes in numerous areas. Such statistics often provide a comfort level or awareness of what statistical probability of a positive or negative outcome in a particular instance and this is as good as such statistics can be.
The most important thing about therapies is what they can do for YOU! Therefore, you need to evaluate the 'fit' of this approach at IMI with your own beliefs as well as your level of commitment to follow-through with recommendations. We have found that the best results, though not guaranteed, do occur when the most 'levels' are addressed and followed through on. A specific evaluation is necessary to provide specific answers to this question.
WHAT ARE THE COSTS FOR TREATMENT?
IMI is a non-profit organization and, as such, fees are based on the actual costs of delivering care and sustaining the highest level of competency in the delivery of integrative medicine. Estimates will be provided after your initial consultation as to anticipated costs of diagnostics and care as specifically recommended in your own case.
IS ANYTHING COVERED BY PROVINCIAL OR MY OWN HEALTH PLANS?
Alberta Health Care covers the costs of conventional testing which is recommended by a Medical Doctor. All other treatments and visits at IMI are NOT covered by the provincial health plan at present and payment is expected at time of delivery.
Some group benefit plans and health trusts cover many of the costs of attending such extended health care practices. Check with your employer or provider.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN THE WAY OF TREATMENTS?
Each treatment plan is highly individualized depending on several
factors. Generally there will be an assessment/evaluation phase that may be as simple or complex as you require. This is based on our own individual circumstances, needs and economics. The most effective and useful tools or therapies will be well -identified to you with adjunctive therapies similarly identified as such.
HOW DO I BEGIN THE PROCESS?
Depending upon where you wish to begin and what objectives you may have there are several ways to begin. Firstly, if you are looking for a completely integrated approach, accessing all that IMI has to offer you would ideally begin with the;
1 - The Coordinated Care Program is the route to Truly Integrated Care combining the best of all medicine approaches within the framework of the Hypothesis of Healing as used at IMI. It begins with an Initial IMI Encounter (see below), an approximately 2 hour visit with a registered nurse trained in both conventional AND alternative medicines as well as the approach used at IMI. She will gather as much of your history as you can supply and will present the approach and theory used at IMI in addressing illness and symptoms. By the end of this session, you will have a very good idea of what your next steps may be in pursuing diagnostics and treatments at IMI.
2 - Your next visits are then diagnostic in nature and will include visits with a Medical Doctor (approx. 1 hr), Naturopathic Doctor (approx. 1 hr), a Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (approx. 1 hr), the Registerd Nurse (approx. 1 hr), a Medical Intuitive (Approx. 1/2 hr), Nutritional Consultant (Approx. 1 hr) and conventional as well as alternative diagnostic testing with some overall screening tests (BTA - Biological Terrain Assessment, Bioterrain, Autonomic Reflex Testing (MORA), Nutribody) and customized blood and/or saliva and/or stool testing as indicated by your symptom history. As much of your prior medical history as is available is also desirable and imaging as appropriate may also be obtained or arranged as needed. In addition, an I-MED Index (questionnaire) is completed and will be used along with your objective data (i.e. blood tests and such) to measure your progress throughout your program on a regular basis
3 - This TEAM of practitioners will then meet formally for a care conference to discuss the findings and create a very individualized program designed to achieve or approach the treatment objectives you have set out.
4 - You will then meet with your Care Coordinator and the Primary Practitioner (usually the MD or ND) for approximatley 1.5 hours to discuss the findings and present the recommendations. After you have decided on your treatment approach your schedule of visits will be established.
As you can see, the Coordinated Care Program is the most comprehensive approach, and is indicated for preventative as well as chronic illness situations, particularly when conventional approaches or disjointed alternative approaches have had little success.
IMI INITIAL ENCOUNTER
The IMI INITIAL ENCOUNTER is the ideal way to find out what IMI is all about while also providing your Care Coordinator with enough of your medical background to provide you with some idea of what might be done for you at IMI using the model and modalites available. This is an approximately 2 hour session with the Care Coordinator (a registered nurse trained in both conventioinal and alternative medicine approaches as well as the IMI Hypothesis of Healing ). Firstly, she will obtain some or most of your history, current issues and desired outcomes. Then she will explain the approach used at IMI. By the end of this session, you will have a pretty good idea of what is possible, what might be required and will be able to then make an informed decision about your choices. This visit does incur a cost (see fees) which will be identified prior to the visit.
INFORMATION SESSION
Free information sessions are provided once per month in a group setting and last approximately 1.5 hours. This is an opportunity to learn about IMI and the Hypothesis of Healing as a framework for Integrating all Medicines and approaches. Seating is reserved by calling 233-0917
SPECIFIC CONCERNS
IF you happen to know exaclty what it is you wish to address or which type of therapy you wish to pursue, you are most welcome to book directly with any of the therapists. For specific therapies, however, you may be asked to firstly meet with a Naturopathic Doctor or Medical Doctor to review your physical conditon to ensure you are a suitable candidate for that therapy. Most initial visits are 1 hour in length and a history form would ideally be completed prior to the visit.
HISTORY FORM (for completion prior to your first visit)
Ideally, you will have this form either faxed, mailed or e-mailed to you prior to your first visit. You will note that this form is quite long and extensive. It is only through a very thorough history taking that we are able to discern underlying imbalances and ultimately the cause(s) of your current symptoms, or those that may be predisposing you to illness in the future if left unchecked. Please be so kind as to offer as much detail as possible and rest assurred, every question has at least one or more purposes to it.
PLEASE FORWARD YOUR QUESTIONS TO info@i-medi.org
