Functional medicine is a buzzy new health movement marked by a shift from acute modes of care to holistic approaches. The functional medicine sector is expected to be worth approximately $1.7 trillion globally by 2034—creating new opportunity for NPs to occupy dynamic roles within diverse clinical settings. Here, we explore the intricacies of functional medicine philosophy, and whether this rapidly shifting field meshes with your unique skill-set.
What role do NPs play in functional medicine?
Both the functional medicine sector and an NP’s scope of care can be applied to a spectrum of healthcare environments. Whether it be naturopathic or emergency medicine, functional philosophies can improve health outcomes and lead to swifter, more accurate diagnoses. While some “traditional” clinicians may be hesitant to introduce functional medicine strategies into their practice, nurse practitioners can benefit greatly from integrating cutting-edge perspectives into their treatment repertoire.
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Impact on patient care
Research shows that functional medicine has a positive effect on a patient’s healthcare experience. Some include:
- Natural remedies: Invasive procedures and aggressive drug regimens can be hard on the body, especially in older adults or disabled patients. Functional medicine typically favors gentler approaches, including solutions that are found in nature.
- Treating root causes of disease: Rather than “slapping a band-aid” on a health problem, functional medicine focuses on the why. This can halt the progression of disease, catch serious health problems early, and lead to overall well-being.
- Customized approaches: Everyone is unique, and their care regimen should be too. Functional medicine prioritizes a shift away from “one size fits all” treatments, instead focusing on individualized needs that can reduce hazards, diagnostic mistakes, and adverse reactions.
Why should NPs pursue functional medicine-based roles?
If the functional philosophies listed above speak to you and your personal outlook on the medical landscape, this path can benefit you as much as it benefits patients. Here are some major perks related to functional medicine roles.
Clinical Impact
Functional medicine has been shown to be successful in treating chronic disease, including autoimmune conditions, gastrointestinal complications, fibromyalgia, and more. By breaking into the functional medicine field, you can play a role in how prevalent conditions are viewed and addressed. You can dig deeper into a patient’s current health and history to pinpoint where problems truly lie, utilizing tools like genomics, lab testing, and lifestyle data. Additionally, you can make a positive impact on longitudinal health outcomes by counseling patients on the importance of positive lifestyle habits.
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Career Growth Opportunities
Many functional medicine NPs run their own practice or occupy leadership roles in private clinics. If a supervisory position sounds appealing, functional medicine may be the way to go. If you are looking to specialize in a particular field, including hormonal, gastrointestinal, or psychiatric medicine, the functional field may grant the opportunity to do so. In junction with the rapidly increasing demand of functional medicine clinicians from patients, many NPs can find lucrative, flexible, and rewarding employment opportunities.
Continuous Learning
Are you on a constant quest for knowledge? If so, functional medicine may offer plentiful educational opportunities. Functional medicine integrates seamlessly with NP skills in assessment, patient education, and lifestyle counseling. Because of the individualistic approach of functional health, each case is a unique chance to learn more about disease presentation, diagnostics, treatment, and management.
