Tag: healthcare

Posted by Christine Pope on in Health Care, Healthy Ageing, Homeopathy, Innovation

Group programs an innovative way to reduce healthcare costs

Have you ever participated in a group program or workshop ? Working with a group of people on a common issue or health problem is often far more successful than working individually with a practitioner. The group itself contributes so many benefits, whether its a sense of support, accountability or motivation as well as specific knowledge or expertise.

Recently I finished a book called “The Community Cure” by James Gaskell. It was recommended by a colleague who was running training in Oncology and she suggested it as a strategy for providing supportive care for oncology patients in an affordable way. In a healthcare setting the original groups were set up to support Hispanic patients with diabetes and have expanded to a range of healthcare challenges.

My own introduction to group programs was through some group coaching with a colleague called Tammy Guest. The group was working on developing their businesses with a range of offerings and I found the process very helpful and supportive. It’s always easier when you understand that others had the same challenges clarifying their offer, dealing with technology or realising that once you have built the course or program you know need to get your head around facebook ads or other marketing.

In the two years since I finished that group I have run a number of small groups myself and my first one was a small group who did a “Reset” through COVID lockdown. That was a highpoint of my week during that last interminable lockdown. Two others really stand out for me were the first “Ageing Outrageously” when I added a weekly call and check-in to the online program and my “Using Homeopathy Made Easy” group where the group helped decide what we covered in the last couple of weeks. That was both inspirational but also meant I knew I was building a course they could really use.

Some of the benefits of group programs include;

  1. Support System: The sense of belonging and understanding that comes from knowing you’re not alone in your struggles can provide immense comfort and strength. It can also provide you with a supportive group who understand your challenges and can provide advice.
  2. Shared Knowledge and Resources: Within a group there are often such a wealth of knowledge and resources that can be tapped into. It can be as simple as having a facebook group where the focus goes from the practitioner answering all questions to the group contributing their strategies and suggestions. Whether it’s learning a new skill, or accessing healthcare services, the power of shared knowledge is invaluable.
  3. Sense of Belonging: Humans are social beings wired for connection, and a strong sense of belonging is essential for our mental and emotional well-being. Being part of a community provides a sense of identity and purpose, fostering feelings of acceptance and inclusion. Whether it’s a neighborhood group, a sports team, or an online forum, finding your tribe can enrich your life.
  4. Accountability and Motivation: When you’re part of a group, you’re not just accountable to yourself but to the group as a whole. Whether it’s sticking to your fitness goals, pursuing personal growth, or contributing to a shared cause, the support and encouragement of your peers can fuel your motivation and keep you on track. Knowing that others are counting on you can be a powerful motivator to strive for excellence.
  5. Opportunities for Collaboration: Collaboration breeds innovation, and groups are fertile grounds for collaboration to flourish. Whether it’s brainstorming ideas, pooling resources, or working together on projects, the diverse perspectives and talents within a community can lead to creative breakthroughs and impactful outcomes. By leveraging the strengths of its members, a group can achieve far more than any individual could on their own.
  6. Emotional Resilience: Life is full of ups and downs, and having a strong support network can bolster your resilience. Whether it’s celebrating successes together or offering a shoulder to lean on during tough times, the emotional bonds forged within a group can provide solace and strength.

Group programs offer a range of benefits that can enhance our lives on both personal and collective levels. From providing support and belonging to fostering collaboration and resilience, communities play a vital role in shaping our health, happiness, and overall quality of life.

If you are interested in experiencing a group program yourself sign up to my list and be notified when the next live group is scheduled. If you are ready to learn more about natural medicine enrol in the on-demand course, Homeopathy 101 or join my signature program, Ageing Outrageously.

Posted by Christine Pope on in Detoxification, Health Care, Nutrition

6 ways to quit plastic

Last year Coles and Woolworths decided to remove free plastic bags from the checkouts. In the 12 months following this announcement it reduced the number of single use plastic bags by 1.5 billion. However we are still using 3.5 billion plastic bags annually and there is quite a long way to go in reducing our reliance on plastic. After reading the book Quitting Plastic recently I have developed a quick list to start on helping you reduce your plastic use further.

  1. Ditch single use bags – reducing plastic bag use means that you need to take reusable bags every time you go shopping. Ideally return them to the car as soon as you have emptied them so they are ready for the next trip. Also have a think about whether you need bags as you buy items in the fruit shop. Can you just put them loose in a couple of your recyclable bags for weighing at the checkout?  If we do end up with a few bags from the shopping we reuse them as dog bags.
  2. Reduce plastic wrap – find containers that can be reused for storage rather than placing plastic wrap over the contents. For smaller items that do need coverage invest in some beeswax wraps. One medium wrap I bought I cut into three pieces and used it for wrapping cheese and another section for rewrapping around cold cuts. Beeswax wraps can be washed in lukewarm (not hot) water with a little dish soap to reuse them for up to 6-12 months.
  3. Find a drink bottle – single use water bottles are another significant contributor to our overuse of plastic. Stainless steel bottles can be used for both hot and cold drinks however there are also good quality plastic bottles that can be reused multiple times. Just try and avoid other nasties such as BPA or phthalates.
  4. Dine in or Keep Cups – two or three takeaway coffees a days can add up to a lot of cups cluttering landfill. Better alternatives are a keep cup that is reused or dining in.  Many cafes are now offering a discount if you use a keep cup which is another plus. Actually an even better option is to sit at the cafe and have your coffee or tea in a real ceramic or porcelain cup which then gets washed and reused. It’s also a good way to give yourself a little break during the day and its environmentally sound. It’s good to know I can justify a cuppa at my favourite locals when I am at work so look out for me at Pattisons or Stanley St Cafe !
  5. Freezer options – The first four items to me felt reasonably straight forward however I know that with keeping meat in the freezer I do not feel comfortable with it being unwrapped so what are the alternatives? The best options I can find so far are cornstarch bags (which are biodegradable) or using reusable plastic or glass containers. I have been freezing stock in glass bottles however I probably do lose an occasional one to breakages so you do need to be careful about how you store it in the freezer. Also do not put hot food into glass and then straight into the freezer, let it cool first.
  6. Clothing – To be really honest when I read the book Quitting Plastic I really hadn’t thought through the amount of plastics used in clothing and more concerningly the tendency for those plastics to generate micro-plastics in the washing process. These microplastics accumulate in our water supplies. A quick and panicked look at labels revealed a few good purchases and a few more concerning ones, in particular my favourite workout gear which is very flattering was also largely derived from plastics. BUT throwing it out will mean more plastics in landfill. So I am going to wear them out and find a bag that I can wash them in which will trap the microplastics (guppyfriend.com) and I can then throw them out. In the meantime I am carefully checking clothing and looking for a high percentage of cotton, wool, silk or bamboo or pulped wood fibres or cellulose such as viscose and rayon. One label that does offer alternatives in bamboo in colourful prints and designs is Maiochi. Country Road also offers some and quite a large range of cotton and linen.

For more ideas on quitting plastic have a look at my Instagram (@allaboutnaturalmedicine) this month or my Facebook page. You can also get your own copy of Quitting Plastic for a large range of other ideas from Booktopia, Target, Angus and Robertson or Dymocks.

Posted by Christine Pope on in Health Care, Innovation

Innovation in Healthcare

Last weekend I was at a conference where the topic was Innovation. It was an interesting area to consider as a Director and even more challenging was its application. How do you encourage and develop innovative thinking in your organisation?  It’s an even bigger challenge for most of the attendees as the organisations were largely associations and Not for Profit’s  who usually aren’t well funded and often run by volunteers. So what were some of the suggestions and how could this be applied in the healthcare space ?

Spend time brainstorming issues

Often with packed agenda’s in a meeting its hard to find time to solve problems creatively. Allowing time on every agenda to brainstorm a problem allows for discussion of other options and possibly new insights. It also creates an environment where people don’t feel they have to stick to the status quo – the dreaded “that’s the way we have always done it”!!

Encourage feedback from the quiet participants

Not everyone is happy to provide input quickly and succinctly in a meeting. Asking everyone around a table to express a viewpoint on a subject provides a forum to open up the discussion. Ideally don’t just start with the same person but mix it up.

img_0363Meet differently

Be open to having meetings in different locations or even bringing in external parties to present different views. The energy of meeting in a coffee bar can be a lot livelier than a set meeting room. Even changing rooms on a regular basis can be a good protocol just make sure everyone has enough space to be comfortable and can move around.

So how can we apply this in healthcare? Specifically how could I apply this in my practice?

Staying current with new developments is really critical and one of the reasons I am constantly looking at seminars or workshops. How can I get people better faster? For example I had always found treating Candida with a diet and specific homeopathics quite difficult and slow. Anti-candida diets are basically no wheat, no dairy, no yeast and no fun! On the basis of a recommendation at a workshop I tried using a berberiene based herbal product and found my results were significantly quicker and much easier for clients to maintain. My strategy is to look for the innovators and pick the eyes out of their treatment protocols.

In terms of meeting differently I would occasionally run workshops and I really enjoy the energy of working with a group and the networking that often results. This is now on my agenda with a permanent focus on education around existing programs but also continuing some of my successful workshops. Using this format is also a good way to keep costs down. A 2 hour workshop at $49 is a great addition to a treatment program and also keeps costs down and makes healthcare more affordable. Maybe another alternative is to start recording the sessions and make them available to clients as an easier way to work with me.

The reality of innovation is much more difficult to grasp than the concept. Often in practice I see clients who are stuck in a situation and think they have no options. As soon as you start to see stress levels come down its amazing how possibilities open up. For practitioners I think its a question of staying current and adopting strategies that work well for them and how they practice.

Christine Pope is based at Elemental Health at St Ives and is available for consultations on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Appointments can be made online (very innovative!!) at http://www.elementalhealth.net.au or by calling 02 8084 0081.