Lifestyle Medicine (LM) is a scientific approach to decreasing disease risk and illness burden. LM is recognized as the foundational approach to health by a growing publication of medical evidence. We developed a core comprehensive approach to address the knowledge and skills of LM in medical school education. It is focused on expanding access to LM with a concentration on topics specifically attuned for medical students. These themes include nutrition, exercise/physical activity/ movement, Mind-Body Medicine, behavioral change, and self-care with periodic self-wellness assessments and care plans. To address these skills and knowledge, A.T. Still University-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) has begun the integration of LM as a cohesive element throughout all 4 years of our student education. The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) learning objectives are incorporated with focused activities. Our faculty is involved in teaching and supporting an experiential learning model which will allow students to grow personally as well as professionally. The LM curriculum is designed to improve the resiliency and ability of our future physicians to deal with stress, depression, and burnout. This acquired understanding can be readily shared with their future patients. This focused session is designed to share our Osteopathic Wellness & Lifestyle (OWL) curriculum design with medical educators and describe our process.

 

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