Integrated or Interdisciplinary General Practice - What’s the Difference?

GP, Integrated GP, Interdisciplinary GP—are these just different names for the same thing?
It’s a great question—and one we’re here to answer.

At ATUNE Health Centres, we’ve developed what we call an interdisciplinary team of health professionals. This isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a new way of delivering care. Our team includes:

• General Practitioners (GPs)

• Physiotherapists & Osteopaths

• Massage Therapists & Breathing Therapists

• Dietitians & Naturopaths

• Speech Pathologists

• Psychologists, Psychiatrists, & Social Workers

• Exercise Physiologists
  ...and more—all working collaboratively under one roof.

Together, these professionals create a fully integrated model of care, centred around you and your unique health needs.

How Our GPs Work Differently

Our GPs don’t work in isolation. They operate as central coordinators within this interdisciplinary team, referring and collaborating with other practitioners when necessary. Whether you're exploring conventional treatment or evidence-based complementary therapies, our GPs are open to discussing your options—including supplements and lifestyle medicine.

This approach reflects a fundamental shift in modern general practice. It moves away from the traditional, siloed model of care and embraces collaboration, integration, and individualisation.

Interdisciplinary vs. Integrated GP—What’s the Difference?

An interdisciplinary GP is a medical doctor who works closely with a diverse range of health professionals. They recognise that managing chronic or complex conditions often requires input from multiple disciplines—physiotherapy, psychology, nutrition, and more. This model ensures that all aspects of a patient’s health are addressed in a coordinated way, with everyone on the same page and working toward a common goal.

An integrated GP practices a form of care known as Integrative Medicine, defined by the RACGP as:

“The practice of medicine that reaffirms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient, focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, healthcare professionals, and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing.”
Ref: RACGP – Integrative Medicine Curriculum Statement

This style of care not only values medical science but also considers evidence-based complementary and lifestyle approaches in partnership with the patient.

Why It Matters

Whether you call it integrated or interdisciplinary, what truly matters is the impact on your health. For individuals dealing with chronic or complex conditions, these collaborative models of care can offer significant benefits—improving outcomes, reducing fragmentation, and making your healthcare experience more personalised and effective.

If you’re navigating health challenges that require more than a one-size-fits-all approach, an interdisciplinary or integrated GP model may be the next step forward.

At ATUNE, we believe this is the future of medicine—personalised, team-based, and truly holistic.