As a pharmacist, I have not once met a patient who wants to take medications, nor have I met someone who wants to live with a chronic disease. A majority of the patients I come across know what they need to do but have a hard time doing it, and I’m sure this resonates with most of you. I also find that many don’t fully understand their condition or appreciate how healing healthy behaviours can be (often more so than any blockbuster drug).

Recently, I met with an aspiring cardiologist, Dr Edo Paz, while travelling in New York City. He and his colleagues have opened clinics across New York, which promote the prevention of cardiovascular disease. They have a cardiologist specifically assigned to provide education to patients and are always available to answer their questions. They also offer innovative services like Central Park runs with a cardiologist, meditation and lessons on how to use and interpret wearable smart devices.

Whilst the American healthcare system is very different to ours in Australia, both Australia and America have had chronic disease epidemics for decades and the numbers continually exceed our estimates³. Clearly, what we are doing isn’t working, but therein presents opportunity for innovation. An entrepreneur is essentially someone who seizes opportunity, shows initiative and takes a risk. Not surprisingly, we are seeing a growing number of entrepreneurs in the healthcare industry and I think it’s only smart to stay tuned to what’s happening elsewhere to get ideas and inspiration.

I recently started a diabetes clinic at one of the general practices I work with in Adelaide and was amazed at the participation rate when I explained that it would be holistic, with a focus on lifestyle and behaviour change. These patients were crying out for help, not for basic information they can get on the internet but for support and guidance from a trusted health professional to make healthier decisions.

Our practice is participating in the Health Care Homes trial, which gives us more flexibility and freedom in how we manage patients; removing the Medicare fee for service model. Essentially, I use one-on-one visits, group sessions and phone calls (which ever the patient prefers), to impart knowledge and skills, to help them understand and manage their diabetes and health. We have a multi-disciplinary team and this year we will be offering group exercise classes, walking groups and cooking presentations. The Health Care Home may not be the answer, but the concept is definitely a step in the right direction.

In addition to this clinic, I am setting up my own independent diabetes and health clinic which will offer various health programs and services with a focus on the root cause of disease and behaviour change. It will be accessible to patients anywhere in Australia and across the world. I am looking at a subscription type model where patients have ongoing and open access to their health care team. I plan to create a community where my patients feel well supported to manage their health in an open, non-judgemental environment.