In these changing times for healthcare delivery and practice, lifestyle medicine (LM) seems to gain momentum, as it increasing quality of life at lower cost compared to pharmacological management. LM is an evidence based science in which changes in lifestyle are recommended to prevent, treat and reverse the progression of chronic diseases. LM includes nutrition, activity, sleep, smoking, and other behaviors. International and national educational institutions and governmental organizations have repeatedly recognized the need for LM education, suggesting that interventions to teach medical students and residents on these topics are long overdue. Only one third of medical schools are meeting the recommended nutrition and exercise education hours. Competencies for LM have been identified by the American Medical Association and other national organizations. In this focus group, participants will customize a plan for how to integrate at least one LM competency in their medical curriculum. Participants will be introduced to LM competencies, tips for selling the program to stakeholders and examples of how to integrate lifestyle medicine.

 

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