How do osteopathic practitioners view preventive care?

Osteopathic practitioners view preventive care as essential to maintaining overall health due to their holistic approach to medicine. This perspective emphasizes the importance of promoting wellness and preventing illness before it occurs, rather than solely addressing health issues as they arise. Preventive care includes various practices such as vaccinations, lifestyle modifications, regular health screenings, and education, which are all critical for improving patient outcomes and reducing the prevalence of diseases in the community.

By focusing on prevention in their care models, osteopathic practitioners help patients develop a greater sense of responsibility for their health, encouraging them to adopt healthier lifestyles that can lead to better long-term health and well-being. This proactive stance aligns with the core principles of osteopathic medicine, which prioritize the body's innate ability to heal and the importance of considering the whole person in healthcare practices.