In this page, I tell you about my private practice, and what makes my "service of delivering healthcare improvement" different from other practices.
I describe my approach to healthcare delivery as "comprehensive patient-centered science-based results-oriented holistic healthcare." What exactly do I mean by this, and what does it mean to you, the patient? Let's look at each term and understand its implications.
Comprehensive:
com·pre·hen·sive (kom' pree hen' siv) adj.
1. So large in scope or content as to include much.
2. Marked by or showing extensive understanding.
The American Heritage Dictionary (Third Edition)
For me, this word's definition describes exactly the type of healthcare I aspire toward and work to deliver. The first part of the definition is quantitative--indicating that the treatment plan that we formulate for you has the potential to become large and multifaceted. Since nearly all diseases and health conditions are multifactorial (involving many factors, or having many causes) a complete treatment plan must have many components if it is to be truly effective by addressing each component of the condition, rather than being merely palliative. The second part of the definition is also important, for it implies that the treatment plan that we implement should be based on an understanding of the underlying condition; it should therefore be specific, customized, and "tailor-made", rather than a non-specific approach which uses a "hit-and-miss" generic approach to treating your healthcare problem(s). The treatment should address the cause of the problem, rather than merely cover the symptoms.
Patient-centered: My approach is to work with patients who have illnesses, rather than illnesses attached to patients. No illness exists as an entity separate from the person who has it, yet the formerly dominant medical model of healthcare implied that the treatment for infections is antibiotics, the treatment for depression is Prozac, the treatment for hypertension is anti-hypertensive medications (i.e., "beta-blockers", "calcium channel blockers", "angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors"). What about the patient? Where does his or her personal individuality come into the picture? What about his/her biochemical individuality? What about his/her diet, stress management, environmental conditions, activity level? As you can see, it is the patient - not the "illness" - who needs the attention and assistance; yet many doctors see only the illness and give very little attention to the actual patient, the person standing in front of them.
In certain situations (such as with emergencies, or with urgent and serious situations) the disease or condition does take importance over other aspects of the patient's background, diet, habits, etc. However, in the vast majority of situations in routine (non-emergency) healthcare, the entire patient - his/her habits, diet, lifestyle, environment, and mental/emotional state - not solely the "disease" - should be taken into consideration so that a specific treatment plan can be tailored for the unique individual.
Science-based: I distinguish my practice as being "science-based" to separate it from practices of other some other "holistic physicians" who use methods of diagnosis and treatment which have little or no support from the peer-reviewed scientific research or with commonly-accepted reality.
When I describe my approach as "science-based" I mean to indicate that it is solid, real, defensible, rational*, tangible, and based on the best reality we have available to us in healthcare--scientific research. I research each patient's case separately, taking into account the patient's present condition and past history, responses to treatments, progression or regression, etc. I consult laboratories, texts, current research, and fellow colleagues for ideas and perspectives that will first enable us to understand what is going on with the patient. Second - after we have an understanding - the patient and I discuss, agree upon, and implement a specific goal-oriented treatment plan to help you become as healthy as you can become.
*My use of the word "rational" above should not be interpreted to mean that I eschew emotional issues, content, or overlays. Quite on the contrary: I welcome the opportunity to discuss and listen to emotional concerns with patients who are ready to work at this level. For patients who are uncomfortable or not ready/willing to take this kind of approach, I am also glad to metaphorically "meet them where they are", to work within their "comfort zone" and to not delve into the emotional side of physical health until such time as they indicate they are ready and comfortable to do so.
Results-oriented: In my opinion, physicians are in business for one thing and one thing only: to improve the patient's health and/or quality of life. In my practice, I like to help my patients define and accomplish their health goals. Some patients' goals are "to have a reduced risk for heart disease", "to be happier, and have less feelings of depression and fatigue", or "to regain the ability that I used to have", or "to get rid of or lessen the severity of this illness" or "to have less pain."
I invite you to bring your own personal health goals, your questions and ideas to your first appointment. We can discuss them and find the approach that we determine will be best for you.
Holistic: The term "holistic" when used in reference to healthcare implies an approach or viewpoint that is complete, multidimensional, multifactorial, and respects the interconnectedness of body systems. I prefer to approach each patient from a holistic perspective, taking into account as many different aspects of a person's life experience and biochemical individuality as is possible and practical.
For patient's who want a limited approach, we can do that, too.
Healthcare: Great health is the goal, the benchmark. Generally speaking, health exists on a continuum, spanning from death and debility to great health and what we naturopathic physicians call "wellness" - the state of optimal functioning and experience in all aspects of life. Everyone has different health goals, expectations, and possibilities - I team with my patients to do the best we can to move the patient toward becoming as healthy as possible.
Dr Vasquez has relocated to Fort Worth and is still available by 
