Seven reasons integrative and functional medicine practices fail—and what you can do

By Integrative Practitioner Staff

by Glenn Sabin, Founder of FON Consulting

During a recent call with a prospective client—a solo practitioner orthopedic surgeon looking to develop an integrative medicine center—I was asked why integrative health practices fail.

I’d never before been asked this important question pointblank. My mind contemplated the myriad things that can conspire to bring a center to its knees, but in the silent seconds I sensed she might want a catch-all answer and I offered up ‘poor planning and communication’ as the primary culprit.

Though it was a general statement it was especially salient because this physician entrepreneur was looking to form a partnership with several community wellness leaders across professional and medical disciplines.

While failure to plan, communicate, and engage partners is critical to a venture’s success, I offer seven additional reasons.