This was the title of an article written in the “Perspective” section of the December 15th issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. It highlights the growing level of uncertainty in the setting of modern medicine’s constant search for another drug, another test, another opinion that just might save the day. It describes two patients with complex medical problems—one with a diagnosis of lymphoma followed by breast cancer, and the other an elderly patient with prostate cancer.
Both patients were at the center of a wheel with many spokes: internist, oncologist, radiotherapist, psychologist, cardiologist, physiotherapist, social worker, nurse and pharmacist. The patients noted that they were surrounded by astounding technology and knowledge, but also in the center of much confusion. “No one talks to each other; they all do their own thing and expect me to be the go-between.” “If you told me at the start of my illness that more experts led to more confusion, I would have laughed. But now I get it. How can anyone reassure me about my health when they can’t agree themselves?”
This article speaks to the heart of my own perspective.
- Abundance of knowledge is not the same as wisdom. Wisdom comes not only with experience, but must be supported by integrating clinical data with detailed observations and follow-up. Our medical system is no longer designed to function in this way.
- Prevention is the key. Every year, we overturn previously held beliefs in medicine. This past year, it was the realization that many men treated surgically for prostate cancer over the past 2-3 decades were treated unnecessarily. Once you are diagnosed with a major medical problem, no one can be certain that the data used to guide your treatment will either stand the test of time, or be valid for you as an individual. Adopting a preventive strategy is the only rational approach to take in this uncertain environment.
- Individualized treatment is the future of medicine. Our pharmaceuticals have been designed to work on the “average” patient: the sum of all the patients. Yet, each individual brings a level of complexity—a unique mix of genetics, metabolism, physiology, immunity and stressors—that clinical trials cannot address nor can provide adequate guidance. This is source of much of the confusion in medicine today. How do I apply clinical trial data to any individual?
We have the emergence of new brand of practitioners studying future trends in medicine. I am one of these practitioners. But, I understand the need to take it further, and to advocate for and establish a new approach right now.
How do we best predict an individual’s risk? How do we establish a preventive strategy, then continually optimize it? How do we read the list of symptoms and form a map, so that each of us has a new level of understanding of our physiology? How can we individualize treatment, minimize side effects and re-establish the body’s natural homeostatic mechanisms?
The approach at Anatara is complementary, alternative, integrative, convergent…whatever you wish to call it. It is necessary to adapt to the current state of health for us as individuals and for us as a society. I feel that taking the best of modern medicine and combining it with Anatara’s other modalities is the best approach available today.
Many clients need a 1 or 2 day comprehensive evaluation. Others don’t. But, everyone should be assessed in a comprehensive and proactive way. It is so much easier taking an earlier preventative approach.