Tieraona Low Dog, MD, ABOIM, Founding Director of the Integrative and Functional Medicine Fellowship & Shaista Malik, MD, PhD, MPH, Vice President of Integrative Health at UCI Health
Becker’s Healthcare PodcastSummary
Leaders in integrative health at UC Irvine emphasize the importance of combining integrative and functional medicine to enhance patient care. Dr. Shaisa Malik, the founding executive director of the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, outlines her role in developing programs that integrate various medical disciplines, aiming for a holistic approach to health. The institute has seen significant growth, with over 123,000 integrative health visits last fiscal year, reflecting a growing demand for this type of care.
Dr. Troni Lodog, founding director of the Integrative and Functional Medicine Fellowship Program, highlights the need for a systems-based approach in medicine, particularly as healthcare becomes increasingly personalized. Both leaders stress the importance of evidence-based practices while acknowledging the historical skepticism surrounding integrative medicine. They advocate for rigorous academic oversight and the necessity of adapting medical education to include training in nutrition, stress management, and other lifestyle factors that significantly impact health outcomes.
As the field transitions from the margins to mainstream acceptance, they call for a focus on legacy and mentorship in healthcare leadership. The integration of advanced technologies, such as AI and genomics, is seen as a crucial component in evolving patient care. The leaders urge future clinicians to embrace a broader perspective that combines traditional knowledge with modern scientific evidence, ultimately aiming to optimize health and improve patient experiences in the evolving landscape of medicine.
Show Notes
In this episode, Tieraona Low Dog, MD, ABOIM, Founding Director of the Integrative and Functional Medicine Fellowship and pioneer in integrative medicine, and Shaista Malik, MD, PhD, MPH, Executive Director of the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute and Vice President of Integrative Health at UCI Health, join the podcast to discuss acupuncture and the integration of integrative and functional medicine into patient care. They also share insights on addressing skepticism, fostering an open-minded approach to healthcare, and the leadership principles that guide the fellowship.
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