| Description |
The aim of this DNP project was to develop an introductory education module about lifestyle medicine for healthcare providers and students. Lifestyle practices and behaviors are one of the U.S.'s greatest determinants of health, yet healthcare providers frequently lack education in effectively providing lifestyle interventions and guidance. Most professional organizations now refer to the current state of chronic disease and obesity as an epidemic, as the social and economic burden is immense. Despite recommendations of lifestyle and behavioral interventions being first line treatment for nearly every chronic illness by several leading professional organizations, providers often do not effectively motivate and educate their patients regarding needed lifestyle modifications. The lifestyle medicine education module aims to help address this discrepancy. Lifestyle medicine is an evidence-based approach to support individuals, families, and communities adopt and sustain behaviors that enhance health, wellbeing, and quality of life. The core competencies, as developed by a blue ribbon panel of leading professional healthcare organizations, was presented in the module. Motivational interviewing was presented as the foundation to providing lifestyle medicine and an introduction to motivational techniques was provided in the module. Resources provided in the module allow healthcare providers and students the opportunity to be prepared to provide evidence-based practices and enhance health outcomes for patients and communities. Resources include links to CE/CME modules, professional organizations, interactive websites to practice motivational interviewing, and in-depth learning opportunities for nutrition, motivational interviewing, and full courses for lifestyle medicine. The module was completed by a small pilot group of 14 healthcare providers and DNP students for evaluation. As demonstrated by evaluation of the pilot group, completion of the module allowed healthcare providers to demonstrate knowledge regarding the important role lifestyle medicine has in enhancing patient outcomes, thereby improving health outcomes for patients, families, and communities. The module is planned to be integrated into an existing course for PCNP students at the University of Utah, Indiana University, and an application has been submitted to AANP and ACLM for CE/CME accreditation. The purpose of this project was to develop an introductory lifestyle medicine module to educate current and future healthcare providers so they are prepared with resources to provide evidence-based lifestyle medicine interventions to patients. After completion of the module, healthcare providers demonstrate knowledge regarding the important role lifestyle medicine has in enhancing patient outcomes, thereby improving health outcomes for patients, families, and communities. |
