Modern Healing—Functional Medicine and Conventional Medicine Compared (1 CM)

Title: Modern Healing—Functional Medicine and Conventional Medicine Compared

Presenter: Ramona Wallace D.O. IFMCP

CEC: 1 Clinical Medicine

Cost: $5 Student Members/$15 Members/$25 List Price

Session Description: This presentation will explore the key differences between Functional Medicine and Conventional (Allopathic) Medicine. While Conventional Medicine primarily focuses on diagnosing and treating symptoms through medication and surgery, Functional Medicine takes a biological systems-based approach, emphasizing the root causes of illness. Functional Medicine integrates principles from various disciplines, including nutrition, genetics, and environmental factors, to create personalized treatment plans. We will discuss how Functional Medicine practitioners view the body as an interconnected system and use advanced diagnostic techniques to identify imbalances. This approach contrasts with the symptom-oriented focus of Conventional Medicine, which often addresses the immediate alleviation of acute symptoms with medication without necessarily considering underlying issues. Attendees will learn about the methodologies and tools used in Functional Medicine, such as comprehensive patient histories, lifestyle assessments, and tailored interventions that include diet, exercise, and stress management. By comparing these two approaches, we highlight the potential benefits of integrating Functional Medicine principles into conventional practice to improve patient outcomes and foster a more personalized healthcare experience.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the Core Principles of Functional Medicine: Participants will be able to articulate the foundational concepts of Functional Medicine, including its holistic approach, focus on root causes, and integration of nutrition, genetics, and environmental factors.

2. Differentiate Between Functional and Conventional Medicine: Participants will be able to compare Functional Medicine and Conventional Medicine in terms of methodologies, treatment approaches, and overall philosophies, highlighting the unique aspects of each.

3. Identify Diagnostic Techniques in Functional Medicine: Participants will learn about the advanced diagnostic tools and techniques used in Functional Medicine, such as comprehensive patient histories, lifestyle assessments, and biomarker testing, and understand how these differ from conventional diagnostic methods.

4. Explore the Role of Personalized Treatment Plans: Participants will understand how Functional Medicine practitioners develop personalized treatment plans that include diet, exercise, and stress management and how these plans can improve patient outcomes.

5. Recognize the Implications for Healthcare Documentation Integrity: Participants will identify the specific challenges and considerations for healthcare documentation and integrity when integrating Functional Medicine approaches, including the need for detailed patient histories and the documentation of personalized interventions.

These objectives align with the mission of the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity by emphasizing the importance of accurate and comprehensive documentation in supporting effective patient care across different medical approaches.

About the Speaker: Dr. Ramona M. Wallace is an Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker, M.D. School of Medicine. I have a robust educational background, including a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Michigan State University, an Allopathic Family Medicine Residency graduate, and advanced certification from the Institute for Functional Medicine. Dr. Wallace specializes in integrating functional medicine into primary care for the underserved. Her professional journey encompasses roles such as Chief Medical Officer at Muskegon Family Care and private practice in functional medicine. Dr. Wallace’s research focuses on nutritional deficiencies and personalized medicine, and she is an active speaker and leader in nutrition in medical education, research in vitamin deficiencies, and community health initiatives.