arthritis
and headaches.
But he can also reach further, incorporations such healing treatments
as herbs and homeopathic therapies. "We hope to get away from
repeatedly treating a problem and instead address the underlying causes
-- at the same time building a foundation of new health,", he
explained.
That does not rule out the use of conventional medicine which Dr.
Hatfield says he still has great respect for. Illustrating his healing
approach, he said that "an antibiotic may be quite appropriate for
bronchitis, but we can also tell people about herbal remedies."
With the public's ever-increasing interest in new ways to heal, Dr.
Hatfield sees the Center as offering information at a time when people
are inundated with potentially confusing alternative healing ideas.
"People have the benefit of being able to seek guidance from our
medical community -- from people in the health field who already have an
interest in this type of healing and who have experience with it as
well," he said. As an example, a patient with breast cancer can use
conventional paths to recovery such as surgery and chemotherapy but may
want to incorporate other methods.
"Some alternatives are inappropriate, but others such as
mediation and supplements, are a good idea," he explained. There
are also occasions when alternative healing methods may be the last
hope. Dr. Hatfield recalled a patient who suffered chronic pain after a
vehicle accident. After years of hoping for relief with conventional
therapy -- with no results -- Dr. Hatfield said the patient was treated
with neuraltherapy and was freed from her pain. That method was
nontraditional for this country but was developed 50 years ago in
Germany, he said. The basic neuraltherapy concept, like that of many
other nonconventional healing methods, is that of going straight to the
cause to address a problem rather than treating the symptom. (It can
also be used effectively for sinus problems and emotional or physical
trauma, he added.)
Just as he did in his role as doctor at the NorthEast Washington
Medical Group, Dr. Hatfield says he will continue to refer people to
services at the Medical Group and to Mount Carmel Hospital for specific
testing or to other necessary services, such as chiropractors.
The Center has the same cutting-edge kind of approach that drew
attention to Colville when Dr. Hatfield helped to initiate and organize
the NorthEast Washington Medical Group in 1979. But the new collection
of health professionals has symbolic roots in Dr. Hatfield's past when
he ran a research laboratory and taught biochemistry.
"I realized then that conventional medicine tried to develop a
reputation on what I now see as dogma," the doctor said. He
explained that, with the conventional medical approach the basic
philosophy is that most bodies are generally the same and the
application of a conventional prescription of healing method will have
predictable results. But, it caught Dr. Hatfield's attention that
"you can't predict with total safety. I came to realize the value
of treatment of the whole person as unique individuals."
Questioning the status quo led Dr. Hatfield into the realm of what is
regarded by some as unconventional healing, unconventional since some is
new and some has not been practiced widely outside of particular
cultures.
Embracing the new goes hand-in-hand with having a skeptical nature.
He recalls that not too long ago he was wary of the newly advanced idea
that swine flu vaccinations were essential for pregnant women. His
concern was supported when the vaccination advocates later reversed
their advice.
As well, "When I first introduced the use of acupuncture in
smoking cessation in 1982, some members of the local healing community
were clearly skeptical," Dr. Hatfield said. "But as time went
on, they count not argue with the results."
He freely admits that, true to his observations, not all people can
be predictably mended with any specific healing method whether it is
conventional or unconventional. But there are many new nonconventional healing choices, and the Center offers so many professionals with a
range of experiences that patients can avoid the trial-and-error healing
route.
An area resident since 1976, Dr. Hatfield describes himself as
"55 going on 25!" He has carried a heavy load as a doctor and
as a 12-year member of the Colville School Board, past president of the
staff at Mount Carmel Hospital, and president for nine years at the
NorthEast Washington Medical Group. In addition to his new duties at the
Center, he is on the clinic faculty at University of Washington and
serves on the Board of Directors for the Seattle-based Physicians
Insurance.
Source: Lorraine Marie, The Statesman-Examiner, Colville, WA