Healthcare Collaborations & Patient Referrals

Integrating Microbiome Science into Patient Care

The gut microbiome is an active area of research across gastrointestinal, metabolic, immune, and neurological health. Understanding its role can provide additional context when exploring complex health concerns.

The Gut Instinct works with healthcare professionals to bring microbiome science into individualised patient care. Our approach combines microbiome-focused assessment, evidence-informed recommendations, and interdisciplinary collaboration to complement existing medical, nutritional, and psychological care.

Healthcare Collaborations

We welcome collaboration with physicians, gastroenterologists, nutritionists, dietitians, mental health professionals, and other allied healthcare practitioners.

Areas of collaboration

• Microbiome assessment and interpretation: Contextualising available microbiome findings alongside symptoms and relevant health history.

• Probiotic and prebiotic guidance: Exploring appropriate interventions based on individual needs and available evidence.

• Dietary, lifestyle, and supplementation guidance: Identifying relevant strategies to support gut health and overall wellbeing.

• Gut–system interactions: Exploring the relevance of the microbiome to digestive, metabolic, immune, and gut–brain health.

An Interdisciplinary Approach

Every patient presents a different combination of symptoms, history, and needs. We support a collaborative approach that respects each practitioner's expertise and scope of practice.

• Case-by-case assessment: Recommendations are tailored to the individual rather than based on standardised protocols.

• Complementary care: Microbiome-focused recommendations are intended to complement, not replace, appropriate medical or psychological treatment.

• Professional communication: Relevant findings and recommendations can be shared with the treating team, with appropriate patient consent and safeguards for confidentiality.

Patient Referrals

Healthcare professionals may refer patients seeking microbiome-focused consultation, interpretation of existing test results, or guidance on evidence-informed gut health strategies.

Referral enquiries may relate to:

• Persistent digestive symptoms, including IBS-related concerns

• Gut health following antibiotic use, extensive hospitalization, chemotherapy/radiotherapy

• Metabolic health concerns

• Gut–brain interactions and stress-related digestive symptoms

• Understanding available gut microbiome testing and its limitations

Each referral is considered individually. Microbiome testing is not a prerequisite for consultation and is recommended only when relevant to the question being explored.

Let's Work Together

If you are a healthcare professional interested in case discussions, patient referrals, or collaborative projects involving microbiome science, we would be glad to hear from you.