naturopathydigest.com -- Collaborative Work in an Academic Medical Center

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Collaborative Work in an Academic Medical Center

By Suzanne Tang, ND, LAc, and Wadie Najm, MD, MSED

In the following article, we will share with you two perspectives: that of a naturopath working within an academic medial center and that of an academic physician working with a naturopath.

(Dr. Tang) Practicing at the Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine Clinic (SSCIM) was an incredibly rich experience that went beyond treating patients. I practiced integratively in a clinic located on the UCI campus among many medical doctors and nurses. One medical doctor in particular truly embraced naturopathic medicine and acupuncture and was a wonderful source of medical knowledge. Having multiple practitioners at the SSCIM clinic enabled patients to have more treatment options available to them and customized their health care according to their needs. Patients were often referred to me by their medical doctors if they were searching for nondrug pain-management therapies such as acupuncture or interested in dietary changes to address their digestive disorders. The patients at the SSCIM clinic were often taking multiple medications and had a variety of chronic severe illnesses, such as neuropathic pain, multiple sclerosis, lupus and cancer, which constantly challenged me to think in an innovative fashion. In addition to seeing patients with more severe illnesses, I had the opportunity to participate in monthly teaching conferences that allowed medical doctors, naturopathic doctors and acupuncturists to discuss and brainstorm on difficult patient cases.

Since the SSCIM strongly emphasizes the importance of evidence-based medicine, multiple research opportunities were available to me and the other clinicians. Research opportunities spanned from population-based studies on the prevalence of integrative medicine to the effects of acupuncture on hypertension and pain. In addition, we were encouraged to contribute to an herbal-review committee that helped to develop a database of science-based evidence on Chinese herbal formulas. I appreciated the wisdom and traditional uses of naturopathic medicine and Chinese medicine, yet recognized the value of supporting these therapies with research. In addition, I had many opportunities to participate in developing and speaking at many medical conferences to educate the public and the medical community about evidence-based naturopathic medicine, and Chinese medicine and its clinical efficacy.

Finally, I learned to be held accountable to reach the broader public about the value of naturopathic medicine and Chinese medicine. I was interviewed by numerous local and national newspapers, magazines and even television stations to speak about naturopathic medicine and various health-related topics such as nutrition, diabetes, women’s health and herbal medicine. There was no doubt that working at the SSCIM brought me outside of my comfort zone. However this experience encouraged me to be a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist as an educator on multiple levels: to patients, to my colleagues, and to my whole community. This experience embodied one of the principles of naturopathic medicine that I love – docere – doctor as teacher.

(Dr. Najm) As a physician interested in health and wellness, I had the privilege to collaborate with several naturopaths over the last decade. I was first introduced 12 years ago to a dynamic young lady who was assisting a colleague in her practice. Stephanie Georgeof completed her naturopathic training some time ago but was unable to practice in the state of California due to licensing restrictions. She was a fountain of knowledge about nutrition and dietary supplements in a time when everyone else was re-discovering this interest. What struck me most was her open attitude and willingness to share her knowledge and enthusiasm about nutrition and dietary supplements for health and disease prevention. We spent time discussing the health care delivery. Through her, I was first introduced to naturopathy and the principles to which it aspires, particularly the healing power of nature, disease prevention, treating the whole person and the doctor as teacher, among others. These are principles that drive many of us to go to medical school and that we hope to follow, but they sometimes take a back seat to the allure of new technology, drugs and the pressure of medical practice.

Armed with this new knowledge about naturopathy, I felt better prepared to offer medical students and other learners an introductory course on nutritional supplements. Over the next several years, Stephanie and I developed and organized didactic presentations, mini courses, and community visits to introduce students to the principles of using dietary and nutritional supplements, with an emphasis on health and disease prevention. Stephanie was instrumental in sharing her vast knowledge and community resources with me to make these offerings the success that they are.

After naturopaths became licensed in the state of California, I had the privilege of working and collaborating with several other naturopathic providers. I met Lena Kian, ND, during the annual meeting of the American College for Advancement in Medicine. I invited her to provide students with an orientation about the naturopathic practice. Her presentation was so well-received and appreciated by students that she has been a regular presenter ever since. Students are always impressed by her ability to use basic sciences to describe the foundations for the use of foods and natural supplements for disease prevention and management.

Recently, I was also fortunate to finally collaborate clinically with an exceptional health care provider, Susanne Tang, ND, LAc. Suzanne was the first naturopath to join the SSCIM, and she was the first naturopath to be accredited to practice at UC Irvine. We shared in the care of several patients and consulted each other as needed, and I believe when all the dust is settled our patients were the main winners.

About the Authors:

Dr. Suzanne Tang is a board-certified ND and licensed acupuncturist, most recently with the Susan Samueli Center of Integrative Medicine at UCI. She received her ND degree from Bastyr University.

Dr. Wadie Najm is a clinical professor in the Department of Family Medicine at UCI Health Sciences Center. He practices with the Susan Samueli Center of Integrative Medicine at UCI.