There is a monstrous gap between spending on public health initiatives (just 3 percent of healthcare dollars) and treatment of chronic disease (a whopping 86 percent of healthcare dollars). Something is very, very, broken if we spend more than $12,000 per person attempting to create health, and yet fail to create health. While Big Pharma is happy enjoying 16 percent of our Gross Domestic Product—more than any other country whether single payer or not; while insurance plans are happy to charge us $2000/month for a $10,000 deductible, there are much better options.
Persistent symptoms or chronic disease does not mean you have to take a pill (or many pills) for the rest of your life. Nor does it mean you have to suffer. If you have a chronic health situation, you have a choice: You either help inspect your habits and routines enough to understand which ones are causing the problems and which ones can be part of the solution OR you blindly accept another’s evaluation of your situation (and, most likely, their recommended prescription and orders to “lose weight”—if only you knew how).
Some would call this “being accountable.”
Sadly, accountability is too often practiced in a way that is not Functional.
Good clinicians will hold you accountable, after all, these are your health issues and your shifts to make. Most people who see me *want* to know what they can do differently. Good clinicians never say “do this because I said so.”
That sort of “accountability” only works some of the time, for some of the people.
It is NOT Functional.
What IS Functional? What works? Based on expertise and leadership, my clients look to me to provide just the right amount of “why”. I teach. In teaching, I must respect my client’s ownership of their bodies and their lives, and how each individual hears and can absorb “The Why”. Functional nutrition MUST be a partnership. This new model of accountability will get us the results we want; it’s a new paradigm.
Flipping “accountability” on its head
As a Human Nutrition & Functional Medicine specialist, teaching thousands of clients in the science and art of applying Functional Nutrition to improve their lives, I have ZERO interest in 7-minute quickie visits. Although I might be able to get all the information I need in order to create the next step in someone’s healing journey, a quickie visit doesn’t serve my clients. It doesn’t take THEM into account. Yes, I expect my clients to trust me (in the beginning); as our relationship continues, I expect to earn their trust by providing quality answers.
I want to help SO MUCH that I am unwilling to shortchange my clients.
I want you to trust me. I simply cannot subscribe to the typical business model of 7-minute healthcare. To do that, I need your help.
Where did accountability go south?
Accountability means responsibility and means taking charge. It means that whatever the outcome, you caused it. Surprisingly, this is a very, very, good thing!
Because… if you caused something—desirable or undesirable—that means you have the power to cause the outcome you seek. Accountability is “I’m in control of my life” and “I can cause the life I want.”
Sadly, “accountability” has become a negative concept: “I’m holding you accountable!” and “If I don’t get this right I will be held accountable“. Punished. It sounds like yelling. It’s your “fault”. That is NOT Functional. This mindset is a trap.
In healthcare, punishment is strong language, there really isn’t a punishment at stake, but the current healthcare model is set up so that the client has to “be accountable” to recommendations they don’t understand and that are made by someone else.
Is that a model of health?
“Because I said so” vs. empowerment
My generation, my parents, particularly my dad who I love, often told me to do something because “he said so” (so I certainly did it). He just wanted it done, probably was tired of all my relentless “why?” But…
…is “because I said so,” whether coming from your dad, your doctor, or a coach a good reason to “do the right thing?”
Would you do something because someone “said so?”
Some of you trust me that much and, while I appreciate that level of trust, the fact that you do is honestly incredible. I appreciate each of you because you are telling me that I have earned your trust. But let’s move beyond “blind faith” and advocate a better future of healthcare.
Recommendations without explanation? In under 7 minutes?
Knowledge is Power
Sure…as an experienced professional I have MY reasons to give key recommendations; but for YOU, in the classic accountability model, “following orders” is “compliance”; it is not a transformation nor is it particularly helpful.
Think about it. How many people have embraced diet X, Y, or Z and maybe even lost 10, 20, 50 pounds? Only to gain those pounds back. They complied with the diet and followed all the rules. They learned nothing!
Most of my clients have seen multiple practitioners, had a gazillion tests done, take piles of supplements, and don’t feel any better (or if their prescription forced their body to change, they’d still prefer to rebalance rather than take quite so many medications—and this is truly possible).
Health and healing do not happen because someone follows rules. Health and healing happen when clients transform on multiple levels. Diet and habits transform. Their relationship with their body transforms. Their sense of empowerment transforms. Often the lens through which they view all of life transforms.
Transformation doesn’t happen because I said so. It happens because we become more aware and are given accurate KNOWLEDGE.
Something is true only if it is true for you
When we make decisions in our everyday lives, we either APPROACH, avoid, neglect, flee, or succumb. If you are confident in your tools, have no problem approaching a situation, are confident in your nutritionist or doctor, have no problem following their suggestions, Great! In the beginning, it is a bit of blind faith. Over time, confidence develops because you get results.
Most of this depends on you. Are you really truly ready?If not, life gets in the way. We don’t prioritize ourselves… then we don’t follow recommendations… next we avoid appointments, neglect taking charge, flee from the expert, or succumb to your situation.
And, all too often, the next thing that happens is you give yourself a long list of wrong reasons “why”. Nonsense like “I’ve no willpower” or “I can’t do this” or “I’m a failure” or… and all too often that is because the professional you hired took the “do this because I said so” approach yet didn’t tell you how or why.
So….
How to APPROACH? How to work with a trusted caregiver to design a health program that fits your lifestyle and gets results.
Communicate. Walk out of any “because I said so.” You have time to think about all decisions. Take a Functional approach.
Accountability that IS functional
Instead of the old model of accountability that focuses on “blind faith” and “take this, do this…” ask questions and get answers.
It’s OK if you want a “quickie visit” and are willing to “just do it”. That suits many, many people. If it isn’t enough for you, please seek out someone who truly listens and doesn’t try to pigeon hole you into Western medicine and its 7-minute visits. Truly. Insurance reimbursement is based on increments of 8 minutes (can you believe that!!?). For Doctors who accept insurance, if your face-to-face time with the doctor exceeds 8 minutes by even one second then that doctor is breaking the law if they “wink, wink, ignore” the extended visit charge. I know several Anchorage chiropractors who have had to return upwards of $50,000 to insurance plans. It’s not a system that rewards quality care; it is, however, the law. The others are just plain greedy.
Your caregiver must have Empathy— that requires understanding what’s going on in every client’s life—your current situation, your health history, your spiritual and cultural beliefs, your ability to change, and more.
Your caregiver must be Educated—this means we swap out “because I said so” for an explanation of how the body works in words you can understand and appreciate. You deserve to understand why your body is in a state of dysfunction, and how, with the plan created with your expert, you will be able to move the needle of health in the right direction.
Your caregiver must Listen and Educate—doing so requires a willingness to provide answers to questions like:
Why is gluten harmful to my particular immune system?
How is my bedtime related to the function of my thyroid?
What effect does eating breakfast in the car have on my digestion?
Once you truly understand why, and what’s in it for you and your goals, you’ll be empowered. You will understand enough about how your body works, actions you can take to move your body towards resolution, and a deep knowing that I am not a dictator, but a true partner in your healthcare.
Save visit fees:
- explore my FREE online handouts
- all of my clients have FREE access to my Eating To Restore Balance program—now available online. Tell me what additional information you want.
- come to my FREE “Let’s Talk Health” series
- Write down your questions before each visit—make it count
- Don’t search “Dr. Google”; trust me, Google can be overwhelming with you certainly needing to amputate 😉
Following rules and the old model of accountability is obsolete. Whether it is me or someone else, please work with a professional who is intrinsically motivated to take action towards your goals and guide you professionally and thoroughly. YOU count. It’s all about you!
Call me: 907-222-1824. There is hope and I can help. XOXO Marie
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