My capstone rotation in Homer was spent at the Seldovia Village Tribe clinic. On the first day we were given a tour of the building and received an introduction to how the clinic works. The biggest aspect of the clinic is that it is divided into two areas: Health and Wellness. These two areas of the clinic often overlap. Together they are referred to as integrative services. On the Health side is the primary clinic. On the Wellness side alternative medicine is available such as massage, acupuncture, and vitamin infusion therapy. In many instances a provider will refer a patient to the Wellness side if they feel their patient would benefit from nonpharmacological interventions. Like the ANMC, SVT is also accessible to everyone. Although they are linked to the tribe, they serve the whole community. Another unique aspect is that the clinic incorporates telehealth. For example, a provider in the clinic can connect with another provider or specialist through video so that labs, scans, and other information can be shared across long distances in real-time. Amazingly, a stethoscope can be hooked up to the machine and placed on a patient's chest so a cardiologist can listen to the sounds produced. The clinic also carries a dentist office and an outreach service that can provide Medicare and Medicaid information and help, as well as transportation to and from appointments if needed.
Through my orientation to the clinic, I found the subject of integrative medicine to be fascinating. Although it may not be suitable in all cases, the use of nonpharmacological interventions can be beneficial and could help in decreasing dependency on pharmaceutical drugs, primarily opioids. In my future healthcare experiences I will take what I have learned from integrative medicine and discuss different options for things such as pain relief with my patients.
Through my orientation to the clinic, I found the subject of integrative medicine to be fascinating. Although it may not be suitable in all cases, the use of nonpharmacological interventions can be beneficial and could help in decreasing dependency on pharmaceutical drugs, primarily opioids. In my future healthcare experiences I will take what I have learned from integrative medicine and discuss different options for things such as pain relief with my patients.