Doctors Looking Past The Basics To Help Patients' Overall Well Being

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Many of us go to the doctor for one problem to be solved. We get answers to our questions and get the treatment plan. Now, some health centers and clinics are looking at using a more comprehensive approach.

"It's important to have a relationship with your healthcare provider that isn't prying but is working together with them," said Dr. Matthew Gibson, with Elica Health Centers. "We all sort of learn about it in medical school and in actual practice, it becomes a lot more difficult."

The Sacramento-based doctor treats patients from all walks of life. He asks them much more than beyond the standard medical questions. Things like 'How is your money situation?' 'How are you feeling about life' or 'What's going on at school?'

"What is the most important thing that is a problem in your life right now?" he said.

Typically, time and resources are limited at the doctor's office. His solution is to work together with several community partners in order to get things done for his patients.

"I didn't want to tell them anything," said Jason Lowe, one of Dr. Gibson's patients. "I was that way in the beginning."

But now Lowe believes it's Dr. Gibson's extra questions that got him through liver problems, PTSD and losing his job.

"Two years ago, I was in really bad shape, but now I've been able to help myself with their programs that I've been going to," he said. "He won't let you just walk away in a bad mood he'll get you to laugh or cheer you up somehow."

In a world with busy doctors and endless specialists, Dr. Gibson believes patients need to be proactive and give their doctors a full picture of what's going on.

"Really anything that you think might be important you should have your collaboration with your doctor about," he said.