Workplace culture has been identified as a crucial factor in the successful implementation of lifestyle medicine programs within health systems, according to a recent study published in BMJ Open.
The study conducted by researchers involved developing case studies of health systems with diverse characteristics such as size, location, payer model, and patient population. Over 40 individuals from these health systems, including administrative leaders, physicians, and other team members involved in lifestyle medicine programs, participated in the data collection process.
Findings from the study revealed that supportive workplace practices played a significant role in facilitating the implementation of lifestyle medicine programs. These practices included providing resources to support collaborative groups, visually advertising lifestyle medicine, and creating a supportive environment by offering healthy plant-based meal options in cafeterias.
Participants emphasized the importance of a supportive workplace culture in successfully implementing and sustaining lifestyle medicine programs. A supportive culture was described as one that provided social resources, had a physical environment that supported lifestyle medicine behaviors, and where colleagues actively engaged in lifestyle medicine practices. Communication of key values such as trust, gratitude, collaboration, and optimism also indicated a supportive workplace culture.
Joel Gittelsohn, Ph.D., MS, a senior investigator on the study from John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, highlighted the informative nature of the findings. He emphasized that as more health systems integrate lifestyle medicine services, the experiences and best practices shared by successful implementations can serve as models for others.
Health systems such as NYC Health + Hospitals and the U.S. military are increasingly turning to evidence-based lifestyle medicine to deliver comprehensive care and target better health outcomes, lower costs, improved patient satisfaction, provider well-being, and health equity. The American College of Lifestyle Medicine’s Health Systems Council now has 116 health system members from 38 states.
The study underscored the importance of strong leadership support and a unified organizational approach in implementing lifestyle medicine programs. Health systems that actively promote healthy lifestyle behaviors and support lifestyle medicine advocates throughout the organization are more likely to achieve buy-in from clinicians and patients.
Lifestyle medicine, as a medical specialty, focuses on using therapeutic lifestyle interventions to treat chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Lifestyle medicine-certified clinicians are trained to apply evidence-based lifestyle changes that can often reverse these conditions. The six pillars of lifestyle medicine include a whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, positive social connections, and avoidance of risky substances.
In conclusion, the study highlights the significant role of workplace culture in the successful implementation of lifestyle medicine programs within health systems. By fostering a supportive environment, promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors, and providing leadership support, health systems can effectively integrate lifestyle medicine services to improve patient outcomes and overall well-being.
