Lifestyle Medicine Implementation in Family Medicine Clinic

Abstract

Background: Lifestyle medicine, a patient-centered approach promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors, is an evidence-based tool for preventing and treating chronic diseases. It has been shown to reduce the burden of physical and psychological diseases. Despite this, clinical implementation is lagging, with physicians facing barriers effectively encouraging lifestyle change. Objective: This project studies the Lifestyle Medicine Assessment (LMA) tool regarding ease of implementation and influence on patient motivation, perception of lifestyle changes, and satisfaction. Methods: A two-pronged approach was conducted. First, the implementation time was recorded for multiple encounters (N = 42). Next, a different subset of patients (N = 22) receiving the LMA completed a pre- and post-encounter survey about their motivation to change, perception of lifestyle changes on well-being, and visit satisfaction. A control group (N = 21) also received these surveys. Results: The average time of application was 7.12 min. Intragroup scores for motivation to change were significantly higher in the LMA group post-intervention (pLMA =.001), but not in the control group. Conclusion: These results show the potential benefits of the LMA tool in a clinical setting, demonstrating realistically achievable implementation times and increased patient motivation regarding better lifestyle choices. Providers should consider using the LMA tool to promote lifestyle change within their practice.