A Landmark Analysis of Independent and Root-Cause Medicine Practices During the Pandemic
The Study
In the summer of 2020, OvationLab launched one of the most comprehensive surveys to date exploring how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare practices across the United States—with a focus on independent and root-cause medicine practitioners. With over 3,500 respondents across a wide range of professional designations, this study offers unparalleled insight into how practices adapted to financial pressures, patient care challenges, and rapid shifts toward digital health.
The study evaluated key variables including revenue loss, practice closures, telehealth adoption, staffing changes, technology integration, and supplement dispensing trends. It also uniquely compared traditional and root-cause medical practices, revealing that those grounded in root-cause medicine were significantly more resilient—experiencing fewer closures and higher revenue retention. Membership-based and bundled-care models stood out as the most stable, highlighting a growing shift away from fee-for-service and insurance-dependent business models.
This in-depth research serves not only as a snapshot of the pandemic’s toll but also as a guidepost for shaping a more sustainable and patient-centric future in integrative and functional medicine. The findings continue to inform innovation in practice models, practitioner education, and technology integration—empowering clinicians to thrive in a changing landscape.