Allergy Consultan Clinics

Since the first medical marijuana legislation in 2002, a new type of clinic has appeared on the scene, offering services to the chronically and terminally ill patients in the area. Medical marijuana clinics are authorized to prescribe legal amounts of cannabis sativa to patients based on diagnoses, observations, and even through the advice of a family physician, with substantiating records provided to confirm the reason for a prescription. Patient identification, the diagnoses or conditions that support the use of marijuana as well as the amount and strength prescribed are kept on record to show strict adherence to the legislation in place.

It is important for clinics to stay abreast of any changes in the laws to be sure they are aware of any new additions or deletions in the legislation in order to maintain compliance. Still today, changes are being made in order to close any loopholes that present a temptation for abuse of the laws in using the cover of medical marijuana clinics in self-medication or making huge profits in illegal sales of the drug. However, medical marijuana clinics as well as the people who work in them are kept under close watch to be sure no abuse occurs that will jeopardize or backslide the progress made in the legislation.

As mentioned, not only are patients identified as having a prescription for medical marijuana, but the strength of the THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) that it contains is tested and noted through the dispensaries to be sure there is no abuse by the patients themselves. Medical marijuana clinics closely monitor their patients for any adverse affects of the drug as well, providing safe use in the treatment of their medical conditions. As with any physician’s office, vital signs are measured and blood levels of THC are obtained to be sure the patient is staying within the boundaries of the prescription provided.

Patients are also given teaching by the marijuana clinics in the proper use of the drug, with the suggestion of using a recognized dispensary and not purchasing the street version of marijuana, since it can contain other illicit drugs or chemicals are detrimental to the patients’ physical and mental health. Since marijuana is a controlled substance, patients must carry their prescription identification card with them at all times in order to advise law enforcement officials as well as emergency medical personnel of their use of medical marijuana or THC pills in their medical treatment in order to prevent misunderstandings or errors in emergency medical treatment.

The Affordable Care Act has put forth the concept of a “medical home”. The intention of this concept is that health costs could be reduced by having a central place where a multidisciplinary healthcare team would address the multifaceted health needs for you and your family.

The purpose in a “medical home” is to address multifaceted issues that can become illness before they happen. While the intended focus of a “medical home” implies an effort toward primary care, that is, identifying risk factors before symptoms appear. The word “medical” still implies the presence of symptoms. Why would you go to a medical home, if you didn’t have a medical condition?

In order to change the paradigm toward the intended focus on health promotion, wellness and disease prevention, a change in language is required. This author proposes the term “health hub” as a more appropriate alternative.

The word “health”, changes the focus toward factors known to improve health instead of symptoms of a medical condition. The word “hub” brings to mind the image of a wheel with many spokes or facets contributing to health that could be addressed to improve health. At the center of the wheel (the hub) is the person or family whose health is the center of attention. Thus, “health hub” describes a place where the family or person as the center of focus is assessed holistically toward maintaining or improving health.

Ideally, your health hub would be the place where you can learn skills to improve your health, obtain screenings and assessments that identify health issues early, get referrals for appropriate treatment as needed and have your care coordinated through one central location. The spokes of the wheel represent the various facets or aspects that might need coordination for optimum health. These might include medical care, dental care, social services, vocational or school concerns, nutrition, physical therapy, health information, psychological care, hospital or acute care, management of chronic conditions, public health concerns and more.

The benefits of ongoing health assessment and coordinated care at a “health hub” include reduced health costs, reduced complications due to medical errors or fragmented care and overall improved health. This fulfills the intention of the medical home concept more effectively and efficiently because the language more accurately focuses attention of the multidisciplinary team on the “health” of the person and family who are at the “hub” of the system.

Your health hub could be located in a community health center, wellness center, school, or family focused employee health program. What’s important is that the health coordinator at the “health hub” is educationally qualified and equipped with the tools to assess the contributing factors which are known to improve or restore health through the lifespan, has effective relationships with the providers you may need, and an effective system for following up and coordinating your care.

Using the term “medical home” continues to imply that you have a medical concern requiring a medical professional, i.e., a physician or nurse practitioner to address. This does not change the paradigm our current health care system. Using the term “health hub” implies a proactive approach to maintaining, improving, and coordinating health care, which is the known antidote to rapidly rising healthcare costs and chronic conditions in America today.

Continuing to focus on curing symptoms of medical conditions by using the term “medical home” does not support the primary intention of the Affordable Care Act. Changing the terminology to “health hub” more accurately supports a changing paradigm toward better health at an affordable price by encouraging early “health” assessment at the “hub” of coordinated care.

Many individuals work full-time with no benefits, cannot afford medical insurance on their own or simply are unable to find a job that offers medical care. For many, free clinics are their only chance for medical treatment. Available to both children and adults, free clinics are located throughout the United States and commonly found in largely populated cities. Smaller, local clinics are found in virtually every area and are the only forms of medical treatment for some children and their families.

The lack of medical insurance is a problem that affects many workers. When an unfortunate event arises, such as a sudden illness or injury, it can wipe out a family’s savings instantly. While clinics primarily offer general care and not surgical procedures, they are essential in helping the patient to determine if more extensive medical treatment may be required. In addition to testing, free clinics may also provide check-ups, immunizations and other common medical procedures.

The best way to locate free clinics is to inquire with the local health department as to the nearest facility. As patients can expect, clinics are very busy. As such, appointments are typically recommended if at all possible. In the case of an emergency, free clinics may be able to assist a patient or may direct them to the nearest emergency care facility. Early appointments are preferred with patients calling ahead at least one week in advance in order to confirm treatment. In the case of a sudden cold or flu onset, some clinics have the ability to accept patients on a walk-in basis. This is completely dependant upon the schedule and the number of patients with appointments, but there is always the possibility of receiving treatment as a walk-in patient.

The treatments provided at free clinics are often those conducted by qualified medical students, who are under close supervision by a licensed medical doctor. In exchange for the educational experience to students, a number of medical schools provide free clinics to patients without medical insurance or the income to afford paid medical care.

The information in this article is to be used for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used in conjunction with, or in place of, professional medical advice. Patients who feel that they require ongoing care, which free clinics may not be able to provide, should consult their nearest hospital or medical center for proper diagnosis and treatments of their ailment.