The complexities and challenges of giving lifestyle advice to patients are real.
Recently, while getting a haircut, I found myself in a conversation with my hairdresser that highlighted this. She was frustrated that her friend had been prescribed melatonin for insomnia, while her doctor had refused to prescribe it for her. As she continued to share her struggles, it became clear that insomnia was just one of many issues she was dealing with—weight gain, belly fat, night sweats, itchy skin, irritability, and fatigue were also plaguing her daily life.
Determining the right time
As a clinician, my immediate thought was that these symptoms could be indicative of perimenopause. I was eager to share my knowledge about hormonal balance and how simple lifestyle changes could significantly improve her wellbeing. However, as she continued to talk, it became evident that she was looking for quick fixes—a magic pill for each symptom—rather than holistic solutions. She rattled off a list of medications she was already taking, including an antidepressant, emphasising her preference for pharmaceutical interventions over lifestyle modifications.
This clash made me reflect deeply on the difficulties of applying integrative medicine principles when patients expect immediate solutions and on the importance of behavioural science in making meaningful progress in patient care.
The quick fix mentality
In our fast-paced world, the allure of quick fixes is strong. Many patients, like my hairdresser, prefer to treat each symptom with a specific medication, aiming for rapid relief. This approach is understandable—who wouldn’t want a simple solution to their problems? However, this mentality often overlooks the underlying causes of symptoms and the potential benefits of a more holistic approach.
The role of integrative medicine
Integrative medicine focuses on treating the whole person, not just the symptoms. It emphasises the importance of lifestyle changes, such as diet, exercise, stress management, and sleep hygiene, in maintaining health and well-being. These lifestyle adjustments can be particularly beneficial to manage perimenopause symptoms. Yet, convincing patients to adopt these changes can be challenging, especially when they are accustomed to seeking quick fixes.
The importance of behavioural science
This is where behavioural science comes into play. Behavioural science examines how people make decisions and what motivates them to change their behaviour. By understanding these factors, healthcare providers can better guide patients towards making sustainable lifestyle changes. Reflecting on my conversation with my hairdresser, here’s why it wasn’t the ideal moment to give effective lifestyle advice and how behavioural science can help:
- Building trust and rapport: The first step is to establish a trusting relationship. Patients need to feel heard and understood before they are willing to consider alternative approaches. In my case, my hairdresser was in a casual setting, not a clinical one, and she wasn’t seeking medical advice but rather venting her frustrations. This wasn’t the right moment to build the deep trust required for her to be open to lifestyle changes.
- Education and empowerment: Educating patients about the benefits of lifestyle changes in a way that resonates with them is crucial. This involves not just sharing information, but also addressing misconceptions and fears. During our conversation, my hairdresser was clearly looking for empathy and validation of her feelings, not a detailed lesson on hormonal balance. Effective education needs to occur when the patient is ready and receptive.
- Setting realistic goals: Helping patients set small, achievable goals can prevent them from feeling overwhelmed and increase their likelihood of success. My hairdresser’s list of medications and her desire for quick fixes indicated that she might feel overwhelmed by the idea of overhauling her lifestyle. A more appropriate time to discuss realistic goals would be in a more focused and less rushed setting.
- Providing support and follow-up: Continuous support and follow-up can help patients stay on track. This might involve regular check-ins, encouragement, and adjustments to their plan as needed. Given that our interaction was brief and in a non-medical setting, I couldn’t provide the ongoing support she would need to make and sustain lifestyle changes.
The way forward
The conversation with my hairdresser was a stark reminder of the gap that often exists between medical advice and patient expectations. While a conversation can be picked up again, the opportunity to make a lasting impact on someone’s health is precious. As healthcare providers, we must navigate these conversations with empathy and patience, using the principles of behavioural science to guide our approach. By doing so, we can help patients see the value in integrative medicine, bridging the gap between quick fixes and sustainable health, and empo