Whole-Person Approach to Health Care Offered at GoodHealth Commons
While patients are benefitting from the amazing advancements in medical technology, many are looking for complementary health care resources that address their whole self – body, mind and spirit. To support their patients’ ongoing care, recovery and wellness, physicians are seeking trusted sources to provide a ‘whole-person’ approach to care, or what is commonly referred to as integrative medicine.
Several highly respected healthcare systems including Duke University Health System, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and Stanford University Medical Center, have instituted integrative medicine programs within their facilities.
Integrative medicine is the combination of conventional, complementary, and alternative approaches that support traditional medical care and address the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of health. It emphasizes respect for the human capacity for healing; the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient; the value of patient education; a collaborative approach to patient care among all physicians and practitioners; and the practice of conventional, complementary, and alternative health care that is evidence-based. While the services within an integrative care center vary, most include massage, acupuncture, spiritual direction, Tai Chi, Qigong, yoga, and nutritional counseling. Research demonstrates that acupuncture, yoga, and meditation reduce a patient’s stress and anxiety levels, which in turn improves clinical outcomes.
As part of its commitment to improving the patient experience and providing a ‘whole-person’ approach to care, Seton Medical Center Williamson collaborated with several community partners to open the first integrative medicine center in Central Texas. GoodHealth Commons, located adjacent to the medical center in Seton Williamson Medical Plaza I, is a one-stop resource for individuals looking to broaden their options for health care, improve wellness, and learn vital self-management skills.
Patients and clients can find services provided by several respected organizations such as The Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin and The Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts, as well as the Seton Family of Hospitals.
“GoodHealth Common’s integrated approach to wellness provides exactly the type of framework that we believe will be invaluable to our patients with diabetes – providing care that focuses on the whole person instead of just their illness,” said Karen Faulk McAfee, MSN, RN, diabetes program manager for Seton.
Services available at GoodHealth Commons include:
- Acupuncture
- Book discussion lunches
- Diabetes self-management education
- Gestational diabetes classes
- Massage therapy
- Natural foods selection, preparation and cooking
- Pre-diabetes classes
- Qigong, Tai Chi, yoga and movement classes
- Restorative classes
- Smoking cessation programs
- Spirituality and leadership Classes
- Stress and anxiety management
- Weight management classes
- Women’s health education and management
“GoodHealth Commons is an extension of the continuum of care provided by Seton Medical Center Williamson,” said AJ Wagner, manager of GoodHealth Commons and Community Outreach, Seton Medical Center Williamson. “Each practitioner specializes in specific approaches to health, and can work together with physicians or other practitioners to create a personalized program for patients or anyone in the community seeking these services.”
Physicians, such as Round Rock obstetrician-gynecologist Saima Jehangir, MD, are glad to have this resource for their patients. “I am very excited about the GoodHealth Commons at Seton Medical Center Williamson, especially since they offer yoga and nutrition counseling, which are important to both pregnant and non-pregnant women alike,” she said.
The 7,000-plus-square-foot center includes a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen complete with commercial-quality Viking appliances, a health resource library, and a retail store that offers items to complement the services provided at GoodHealth Commons.
GoodHealth Commons is open to all members of the community. To find out more about the full schedule of courses and services that may benefit your patients, please send an email to goodhealthcommons@seton.org or call (512) 324-4083. More information is available at www.goodhealthcommons.com.