Lifestyle Medicine Training Empowers Clinicians

Clinicians who completed an American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) course introducing the foundations of lifestyle medicine and diet as medicine reported significant improvements in their knowledge and confidence, as well as an increase in the frequency with which they practice lifestyle medicine with patients, according to a research study. .

The findings are important because, although lifestyle behavior changes are often the optimal treatment option in clinical practice guidelines for chronic noncommunicable diseases, many clinicians cite their lack of knowledge and training in lifestyle behavioral interventions as a barrier. A growing body of evidence supports the effectiveness of lifestyle medicine to treat, reverse and prevent diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and obesity.

As part of a broader strategy to bridge the education gap, ACLM offered the free 5.5-hour CME/CE online course “Lifestyle Medicine and Diet as Medicine essential” as part of its commitment to train 200,000 clinicians in lifestyle and food as medicine to support the 2022 White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health. As of December 1, 53,035 clinicians had registered for the course.

Those who participated in the course could choose to participate in a research study designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the course. The study involved completing a survey at the beginning and end of the course assessing knowledge, confidence, attitudes and practice of lifestyle medicine.

Among 2,954 participant surveys analyzed, statistically significant improvements were observed in knowledge and confidence in lifestyle medicine, according to results published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. Participants also reported practicing lifestyle medicine with their patients more frequently and reaching more patients with lifestyle medicine services.

Lifestyle medicine clinicians are trained to apply prescriptive, evidence-based, whole-person lifestyle change to treat and, when used intensively, often reverse diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. By applying the six pillars of lifestyle medicine: a diet of predominantly plant-based whole foods, physical activity, restful sleep, stress management, positive social connections and avoidance of risky substances; also provides effective prevention of these conditions.

Lack of knowledge, skills and confidence to practice lifestyle medicine and behavioral counseling are among the greatest barriers to solving the chronic disease crisis, the root cause of which is primarily lifestyle behavior. life. The study results are encouraging because they demonstrate the real-world effect of a CME-accredited educational course that is cost-effective, delivered virtually, and, therefore, highly scalable. Future research should investigate the effects on long-term practice changes and health outcomes. »

Micaela Karlsen, PhD, MSPH, Senior Director of Research, American College of Lifestyle Medicine