At Harrison, our purpose is to help you stay one step ahead of disease. That’s the promise of precision medicine – an approach that uses genetic insights, advanced diagnostics, detailed health histories, and highly personalized care plans to identify risks early and act proactively. By understanding your unique biology, lifestyle, and health history, we can tailor prevention and treatment strategies that keep you healthier, longer.
What Is Precision Medicine?
Precision medicine moves beyond the “one-size-fits-all” model of healthcare and instead considers:
- Your genetic makeup
- Your lifestyle and environment
- Your personal and family medical history
- Your current health status and lab results
- Your health goals
This information is integrated to create a customized health roadmap addressing your specific risks and targets, moving beyond the standard care offered to the average patient. Research has shown that precision medicine approaches can enhance patient outcomes by tailoring treatments to individual biology rather than relying on population averages. Harrison’s care model integrates a full health history, lifestyle review, and advanced diagnostics into a personalized roadmap, ensuring every patient receives care that is as unique as they are.
The Role of Genetic Insights
Genetic testing can identify genetic variations linked to a wide range of conditions, from cardiovascular issues and hereditary cancers to other disorders that might be passed on to children. These tests also examine how you metabolize different medications or nutrients, revealing predispositions based on your genetic information. At Harrison, we work with board-certified Genetic Counsellors who are available to answer your questions, simplify the science of Precision Medicine, and provide insights to your health team to enhance your personalized care plan, including:
- Interpret results in the context of your overall health
- Offer targeted screening recommendations
- Suggest lifestyle changes that reduce your risk
- Provide family-based prevention plans where relevant
Knowing your genetic blueprint allows us to focus on prevention strategies that matter most for you, whether it’s enhanced screening, lifestyle adjustments, or tailored medication plans.
Advanced Diagnostics for Early Detection
Our precision medicine approach includes advanced diagnostics not typically available in standard care. These may include:
- Comprehensive, on-site blood panels to detect subtle imbalances and track changes over time
- VO₂ Max testing to assess cardiovascular fitness
- Advanced imaging for early detection of disease markers
- Specialized cardiovascular screening for heart health risk
These tools help us identify health concerns years before symptoms appear, giving you the opportunity to make changes and begin treatment early, when it’s most effective.
Turning Insights Into Action
Information is only powerful if it leads to action. Our integrated care model means you have direct access to a multidisciplinary team – including physicians, registered dietitians, nurse practitioners, exercise physiologists, care coordinators, mental health care navigators, genetic counsellors, referral coordinators, and on-site diagnostics, working together to:
- Develop a long-term prevention plan
- Provide ongoing monitoring and adjustments
- Support you with lifestyle changes that fit your life
- Coordinate specialist referrals, mental health support, diagnostics, and other external health services for a low-stress experience
This multidisciplinary approach ensures that every aspect of your health is addressed in a seamless, proactive way.
Precision Medicine: Smarter Prevention
Precision medicine, combined with our multidisciplinary team-based care, offers a smarter, more scientific approach to safeguarding your health. Early detection empowers you to take proactive steps, allowing for timely interventions and meaningful lifestyle changes that not only improve outcomes but also help you maintain a higher quality of life.
While genetics is an important piece of the puzzle, the real difference lies in having a dedicated care team with the time and expertise to dig deeper. This isn’t just an “extra” service—it’s the privilege of meaningful, personalized care that empowers you to take proactive steps for better outcomes and a higher quality of life.
Contact us today to learn how our precision medicine services and team-based care model in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver can help you build a personalized prevention plan for your healthiest life.
