Frequently Asked Questions
What is Integrative Medicine?
One of the newest medical specialties, Integrative Medicine is practiced by physicians who are trained in the analysis of complementary therapies, and who take into consideration all elements of a person’s lifestyle (mind, body, spirit, relationships, environmental exposures) as they relate to health. Integrative medicine practice emphasizes partnership with patients, and focuses on health and healing regardless of diagnosis or prognosis.
Research and interest in Integrative Medicine have increased substantially over the past decade, primarily in response to the enormous consumer demand for information on the use of safe and effective complementary therapies, people’s desire for more personalized interactions with physicians. Demand for integrative medicine services has been well documented by the American Academy of Pediatrics and in the adult medical literature.
Who seeks Integrative Medicine consults?
People seeking an integrative medicine consult are either currently healthy and wish to maintain and maximize good health, or people living with a newly diagnosed or ongoing illness, for example; arthritis, overweight or obesity, cancer, diabetes, gastrointestinal illness, headaches, auto-immune illness, hypertension, peri-menstrual or peri-menopausal symptoms, or cardiovascular disease, who want to understand and explore all the available treatment options to maximize their health.
How do doctors trained in Integrative Medicine differ from other doctors?
Physicians with fellowship training in Integrative Medicine, such as Dr. McClafferty, have spent two years in detailed study of an array of topics such as: medical nutrition, mind-body medicine (guided imagery, medical hypnosis, stress management, meditation, and biofeedback), exercise research and exercise prescriptions, motivational interviewing and behavior change, botanical medicine and dietary supplements, Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture, Homeopathy, human bio-field/energy medicine, spirituality and healing, and integrative approaches to a wide variety of diseases in men, women, and children. During fellowship training, physicians learn to develop effective treatment plans, and acquire the skills to be highly knowledgeable guides for their patients.
How does Integrative Medicine differ from conventional medicine?
Integrative Medicine differs from conventional medicine in that it offers expanded treatment options, and includes detailed nutrition and exercise counseling, education in the use of the powerful mind-body connection, use of motivational interviewing to maximize your potential for positive behavior change, consultation about carefully evaluated herbs or dietary supplements, and partnering with a physician who works with you to create a personalized health plan.
Who can benefit from an Integrative Medicine consult?
An Integrative Medicine consult can benefit both adults and children who want to protect and maximize good health, and those already living with an ongoing illness.
Overweight or obese individuals of any age
By addressing every element of a person’s lifestyle, an integrative medicine approach is often extremely effective in helping overweight or obese children and adults who wish to improve their overall health and successfully lose weight.
What should I expect in an Integrative Medicine consult?
An integrative medicine consult provides an opportunity for you to ask questions and explore topics not usually covered in a regular medical check up. The office is designed to be quiet and welcoming, with a very different feel than the standard busy medical office. Appointments are longer to allow Dr. McClafferty to give you her undivided attention.
During the consult, we will focus on your areas of highest concern and review a detailed history covering not only medical topics, but also lifestyle issues (nutrition, stress, sleep, exercise, day -to- day activities and habits, connection to others, and spirituality as it relates to your health). This type of history taking is time intensive, and often helps provide insight into the root of the problem.
Initial visits are generally 60-90 minutes, depending on the individual’s needs. Some people are seeking information on one specific medical issue, while others are interested in a comprehensive evaluation.
Following your visit, Dr. McClafferty will prepare individualized recommendations for you or your child, which are reviewed at a follow up visit 1-2 weeks later.
What are Dr. McClafferty’s qualifications?
Does the office accept and file insurance?
Dr. McClafferty’s office does not process insurance claims. Payment is due at the time of your visit. You will receive a standard medical receipt with customary medical insurance codes which you can submit to your insurance company for direct reimbursement. Many insurance companies will reimburse you for the cost of the visit.
Does Dr. McClafferty offer primary care?
No, the practice is designed as a consult office and does not offer primary care services. Dr. McClafferty will gladly communicate with your primary care physician or sub-specialist about her recommendations.
Does Dr. McClafferty advocate alternative medicine such as chelation and detoxification?
No, she does not advocate chelation or detoxification. In her Fellowship training through the University of Arizona Program in Integrative Medicine, Dr. McClafferty learned to carefully evaluate a wide variety of complementary and alternative medicine treatments and products. She does not feel chelation or detoxification therapies have been thoroughly studied. She also does not advocate or offer high dose vitamin or supplement infusions, or any type of internal cleansing regimens. Patients seeking this type of treatment should seek out other types of practitioners.