The importance of lifestyle medicine education in healthcare systems cannot be overstated. A recent study published in Translational Behavioral Medicine highlighted the significance of expanding access to lifestyle medicine education opportunities to promote the adoption of this medical specialty across health systems.
The study, conducted by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), emphasized the role of intentional educational strategies in deepening clinicians’ knowledge, skills, and confidence in delivering lifestyle medicine interventions to treat, reverse, and prevent chronic diseases. According to ACLM Senior Director of Research, Micaela Karlsen, Ph.D., investing in continuing medical education (CME) courses, professional certification, webinars, mentoring, and conference participation can drive the adoption and long-term growth of lifestyle medicine within healthcare organizations.
To gain insights into how health systems prepare clinicians to practice lifestyle medicine, researchers conducted over 60 interviews with clinicians, administrators, and educators at eight health systems, seven of which are part of ACLM’s Health System Council. The study identified various educational strategies that supported lifestyle medicine practice, including lifestyle medicine and food as medicine CME courses, certification programs, grand rounds, in-house trainings, attendance at ACLM’s annual conference, and peer-learning opportunities.
The study also highlighted the importance of embedding lifestyle medicine into employee wellness initiatives to provide clinicians with firsthand experience of lifestyle interventions recommended for patients. By integrating lifestyle medicine into wellness programs, clinicians can enhance their confidence and credibility in delivering lifestyle medicine care.
Key educational content areas identified in the study included a clear definition and evidence base for lifestyle medicine, behavior change counseling, familiarity with lifestyle medicine referral opportunities, and business operation skills. Raising awareness of lifestyle medicine resources within and outside health systems was deemed critical for making patient referrals and ensuring consistent use of lifestyle medicine services.
Overall, the study emphasized the value of ongoing education and support for healthcare professionals to effectively integrate lifestyle medicine into their practice. By implementing educational strategies and fostering a culture of continuous learning, health systems can advance the adoption of lifestyle medicine and improve patient outcomes.
For more information on the study, you can refer to the article published in Translational Behavioral Medicine. This research underscores the importance of educational strategies in fueling the adoption of lifestyle medicine across health systems, ultimately leading to better healthcare outcomes for patients.
