Anu Räisänen, director of HealthEU Initiatives and assistant professor, recently co-authored an article advocating for the integration of lifestyle medicine competencies into the education of future clinicians. The article, published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, highlights the importance of incorporating lifestyle medicine into health professions programs to equip healthcare professionals with the skills needed to prevent, manage, and reverse lifestyle-related chronic conditions.
Räisänen and her co-authors emphasize the role of physical and occupational therapists in promoting health and managing lifestyle-related issues. They discuss the American College of Lifestyle Medicine Partial Academic Pathway program, which aims to integrate lifestyle medicine content into graduate level health professions programs. By including lifestyle medicine competencies in curricula, future clinicians can enhance patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and improve clinician satisfaction.
The article provides examples of how various programs have implemented lifestyle medicine competencies, showcasing a case example from a doctor of physical therapy curriculum. The authors stress the transformative potential of lifestyle medicine in healthcare education and practice, focusing on evidence-based interventions that address nutrition, physical activity, stress management, restorative sleep, social connection, and avoidance of risky substances.
Overall, the integration of lifestyle medicine into health professions education is seen as crucial for preparing future healthcare professionals to effectively address chronic diseases and promote overall well-being through lifestyle interventions. By empowering clinicians with these skills, the healthcare system can strive towards better outcomes and improved patient care.
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