Welcome to another edition of the Doctor’s Note where we talk about what’s on our minds when it comes to your health.
The title of this week’s podcast is The Biopsychosocial Model in Medicine. The biopsychosocial model, advocated by George L Engel in 1977, builds upon the idea that “illness and health are the result of an interaction between biological, psychological, and social factors.” The nuances of this model highlight the importance of addressing the root causes of chronic disease which many of my colleagues and I have built our medical practices around.
In this episode, I am joined by a long time friend and fellow family physician, Dr. Randy Pardue, owner/founder of Vital Wellness. Dr. Pardue, a pioneer in family medicine and functional health in the Knoxville area, shares his invaluable perspectives on the ever evolving landscape of patient care. From discussing the profound impact of early childhood experiences on long-term health to the transformative power of lifestyle medicine, our conversation explores treating the whole person, not just their symptoms.
PODCAST NOTES
Dr. Pardue has a passion for family medicine that stems from his love of caring for individuals across all age groups, from babies to the elderly. He enjoys building long-term relationships with families and addressing their emotional, relational, and medical problems, highlighting the holistic nature of his practice.
It’s so important to understand the psychological and social contexts of patients. A substantial portion of medical issues is psychologically based, and to be an effective primary care doctor, one must deeply know their patients. It’s the primary care doctors role as first-line responders to recognize and address these psychosocial factors.
Dr. Pardue and I discussed the ongoing evolution in primary care towards functional medicine, which focuses on root cause analysis rather than treating symptoms based only on numerical values like cholesterol and blood sugar levels. He advocates for addressing underlying issues such as insulin resistance rather than just managing the symptoms.
In the current medical climate, traditional practices often resort to prescribing medications quickly due to time constraints and insurance reimbursement models that incentivize this approach. Dr. Pardue notes that lifestyle medicine, while effective, requires more time and coaching, which is often not adequately rewarded by the traditional reimbursement system.
There is a lot of cognitive dissonance in the medical community. It’s so important to be a lifelong learner and have the ability to adapt to new evidence and practice to provide the best care. Doctors often rely on drug reps to stay updated, which is not the best.
It’s hard to implement lifestyle medicine! Dr. Pardue mentioned the necessity of coaching and sustained effort to help patients change their habits, such as nutrition and exercise, for long-term benefits. Despite the difficulty, he emphasizes the profound positive impact these changes can have on patients’ lives.
There is an entrenched resistance to change within the medical community. Examples of this are the delayed acceptance of the need for early exposure to peanuts in infants and the lingering fears around hormone replacement therapy. Many physicians still doubt the reversibility of Type 2 Diabetes despite evidence to the contrary, underscoring the difficulty of shifting medical practices.
In the conversation, Dr. Pardue explained his approach of integrating traditional and functional medicine. Through his clinic, Vital Wellness, he offers a combination of traditional medical care and lifestyle interventions, including nutrition, exercise, and coaching. This approach allows him to provide holistic care and address the root causes of health issues effectively.
I LOVE talking with like minded physicians. Dr. Pardue’s dedication to integrating functional medicine and his proactive approach to addressing the root causes of chronic illness remind us that good health extends beyond prescriptions and numbers. As we discussed, the journey towards better health requires not only medical expertise but also a deep, empathetic connection with patients.
Be proactive about your health, seek out knowledgeable and attentive practitioners, and embrace changes that lead to richer, more fulfilling lives.
Stay educated. Stay healthy.
Till next week.
