Episode 72: Innovative Ways to Add a Nutritionist: Without Breaking the Bank
“Each practitioner I have worked with that is like, ‘I’m just going to do it’ has found that it’s super beneficial to their patients, but also for them,” explains Jessica Bruno, MS, CNS. Adding a nutritionist or health coach to your practice may sound out of reach financially, but it does not have to be. Jessica is a certified nutrition specialist with a masters in functional medicine and human nutrition who is bringing her affordable, quality services to functional medicine practices.
Jessica ended up pursuing functional medicine and nutrition after her own health went haywire, prompting a doctor to recommend that she go on biologic immunosuppressive medication for possible Crohn’s disease.
After working on nutrition and lifestyle changes with a functional medicine practitioner, Jessica was healthy again without having to harm her body and immune system with injections. Now, armed with the knowledge to help others in similar situations, Jessica guides patients through nutrition and lifestyle changes that can help get their health back on track. She works with the practitioner at intake to design the proper program for each patient, in some cases offering one-on-one counseling and in others providing services through social media and pre-recorded educational presentations. This frees up the physician to spend more time on the clinical aspects of a patient’s care, while the nutritionist spends time following up with patients and helping them with things like following a certain diet.
Adding a nutritionist to your practice can be beneficial not only for your patients, but also for you as a physician to get some of your valuable time back. Working with someone like Jessica enables you to provide more educational resources and even one-on-one followup with your patients without you having to be directly involved. Although it can be intimidating to make the leap and invest in your practice, the results speak for themselves in showing how useful this investment can be in the long term.
About Jessica Bruno, MS, CNS:
Jessica Bruno is a Functional Medicine Nutritionist who has gained a compassionate approach with her clients, as someone who has suffered through the conventional medicine model and also been through a roller coaster of a health journey of her own. Jessica has her Master’s in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine, and is licensed as a Certified Nutrition Specialist. Jessica’s goal is to help patients set attainable goals by creating an individualized approach that fits within their life and capabilities.
In This Episode We're Talking About:
- Why onboarding a nutritionist can change the whole dynamic of your practice.
- How a nutritionist should be seen as an addition to the team and work as a team member, constant communication.
- Difference between a health coach and a nutritionist.
Quotes:
- “The RD is very well versed in conventional medicine, a CNS is more trained in functional medicine.” (25:40-25:45 | Jessica)
- “I get the opportunity to help people realize that there’s more than just the nutrition perspective, there’s also lifestyle.” (30:39-30:46 | Jessica)
- “Each practitioner I have worked with that is like, ‘I’m just going to do it’ has found that it’s super beneficial to their patients, but also for them.” (31:08-31:17 | Jessica)
- “Any step that requires a little bit of an investment is always scary. But yet, it always yields the best growth.” (31:45-31:52 | Lara)
Links for this Episode:
Connect with Jessica Bruno:
Website: www.naturalandnourish.com
Instagram: @naturalandnourish
Connect with Dr. Lara Salyer:
Website: https://drlarasalyer.com
Catalyst Kit: https://rightbrainrescue.com/p/catalyst_kit
Instagram: @drlarasalyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer
TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor
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About The Catalyst Host, Dr. Lara Salyer:
I worked as a family physician for 15 years until burnout changed the trajectory of my career. I realized I wanted to start a holistic functional medicine practice in my rural hometown and made it happen. In addition to practicing functional medicine, I now mentor practitioners who are looking to change their paths in healthcare by using what I refer to as the “Catalyst Roadmap”. I share each step of this framework with listeners so that they may apply it to their careers, relationships, personal goals, and projects.
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