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We were having tea with a new friend the other day, and she was asking Kitty questions about Oriental Medicine, and how she works with people. What follows are some interesting points about one of life’s ubiquitous events—the “office visit.” Friend My approach to heath care includes both Oriental and Western Medicine, and I find that most practitioners—of both types—only spend around 15 minutes or so with me. I find that it’s difficult to communicate what’s going on with me in such a short period of time. How much time do you spend with people? Kitty I know what you mean; I feel the same way. That’s why a typical treatment experience—or “office visit"— at BIOM ranges from one-and-a-half to two hours. Experience proves that, by taking the time to listen, you learn so many things that just wouldn’t have time to percolate up during a standard-type office visit. Of course, if for some reason, the client is in a hurry, I can streamline the time we spend, and focus directly on what’s essential, using questioning and diagnostics; but what’s important for you to know, is that the time is there for you. There’s something that always amazes me: it’s how a person changes as they experience the process of ‘getting in touch’ with what’s going with their health—as they begin to see the connections that affect it. This ‘conscious awareness’ of what’s going on in your body, and your life, has a direct effect on your health. Friend I can see where it would take more than the standard 15-minute office business to “get in touch” with what’s going on with one’s health. Kitty It really does. Of course, all health care practitioners have their diagnostic tools for getting a sense of what’s ailing you; but for good health care to happen, “diagnostics” have to be in addition to a good “chair side” manner, not a substitute. Friend In some ways it feels like you need an ‘advocate’ when you go to the doctor: someone who’s objective and knows enough about you to make sure the doctor finds out what you need to tell her or him. Kitty That’s an interesting perspective. As the saying goes: “Two heads are better than one.” And when you come to BIOM, we are essentially inviting your “inner” advocate to sit down, and tell what she/he knows about your situation. That’s what’s meant by “getting in touch” with what’s going on with you; and it’s also a source of information that’s not readily in memory. There are things you remember easily, and others, a little deeper inside that fill-in the puzzle, but get missed when the office visit is too short. Friend So what can I expect if I come to you for a medical treatment? Kitty Generally when you come to BIOM for Oriental Medicine, the first 30 to 45 minutes is spent talking about what’s going on with you. Then, I spend about 30 minutes diagnosing your condition. And finally, you get to rest with your treatment for 30 to 45 minutes. Friend Do you take insurance? Kitty I provide a statement for you to present to your insurance company for reimbursement. Friend Why don’t you just accept whatever the insurance company offers to pay? Kitty Insurance companies’ profits are directly related to how little they have to pay health care providers for the services you receive. This is why people have to accept the “standard” 15 minute office visit. If I accepted what insurance companies offered, I would have to maximize the number of people I see per day—that’s the “15 minute office visit” trap. Insurance coverage has a bit of ‘illusion’ built into it. You pay less for an office visit, but you receive much less. That’s the trade off; there’s no “free lunch.” Find out more about Oriental Medicine at BIOM ... http://www.biom.net/index.php/237/