Questioning the Status Quo in Medicine

In medical school and residency, physicians are trained largely through memorization and algorithms. There are algorithms for everything—from how to evaluate chest pain to which antibiotic to prescribe for a sore throat. These pathways are dictated by governing bodies like the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, CDC, American College of Cardiology, and American Heart Association, each of which issues bulletins on what is considered “standard of care.”

But here’s the problem: history shows us that the standard of care is not always safe—or even correct.

• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): For years, HRT was broadly recommended for post-menopausal women until the Women’s Health Initiative revealed significant risks for heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Guidelines were reversed.
• Vioxx (rofecoxib): Once a popular pain medication, it was withdrawn after evidence showed increased risks of heart attacks and strokes.
• Routine antibiotics for ear infections and strep throat: Once reflexively prescribed, but now de-emphasized because of antibiotic resistance.
• Tight blood sugar control in Type 2 diabetes: Once considered essential, later shown in large studies to sometimes do more harm than good.

These examples remind us: when medicine is practiced as “paint-by-numbers,” patients can get lost in the shuffle. The search for labels and diseases drives Western medicine toward treatment after problems occur, rather than preventing them.

That’s why Lifestyle Medicine—a relatively new specialty—exists. Unfortunately, it’s often treated as “separate” from traditional medicine, largely for two reasons:

1. Lack of knowledge. Medical education rarely teaches physicians how to apply lifestyle medicine to themselves or their patients. As Buddhist philosophy reminds us: “If you do not understand something for yourself, you will not be able to understand it for another.”
2. Lack of time. In the insurance system, primary care physicians are forced to see 4–6 patients per hour. That’s 8–10 minutes per visit, if you’re lucky. It’s enough for quick acute issues, but not for meaningful health transformation.

At Love Health, we’ve flipped this model. Our follow-up visits are 30–40 minutes long. New patient intakes are 75–90 minutes. We know our patients, not just their lab results. A typical insurance-based doctor is responsible for 2,200–2,500 patients. In our model, we cap at 400–600 patients per provider, allowing us to provide concierge-level care for a fraction of the price—often less than what most people pay for their cell phone or internet. And yes, you can use your HSA funds.

We also believe in honoring every individual’s sacred autonomy to make health decisions for themselves. You will never be shamed at Love Health for the choices you’ve made. Our mission is holistic—mind, body, and spirit.

That’s why I’m thrilled to announce that Chloe Ruschmeyer, an outstanding integrative health nurse practitioner, is joining our team to head our new Doylestown location. Beginning October 1, our office at 601 New Britain Road, Bldg. 100 (2nd Fl. – Inside Be Well), Doylestown, PA 18901 will be open to patients. Pre-signups are happening now, and as proven in our Fort Washington practice, spots fill quickly. We’re also initiating services via telemedicine right away.

👉 If you’d like to reserve your spot, visit our Doylestown sign-up page here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfD2boWPGXVbI2ip_K3aerRaJGW4uDIFDLjLt1jxXIM7BGBYw/viewform?usp=header

Love Health offers care for individuals and families, but also for businesses. Employers can add our services alongside existing health insurance or, with the help of our partner organization Verity Advisory, reevaluate their current health plan for ethical, transparent, and often more affordable alternatives.

The truth is, the “status quo” in medicine is not working. Algorithms and governing bodies are helpful, but they are not the whole story. At Love Health, we believe in putting patients—not protocols—at the center.

In peace & health,

Dana Mincer, DO

www.LoveHealthDPC.com

Book a free virtual Meet & Greet with Chloe here.