It is not compulsory to become a member of the BSLM to sign up for the diploma although of course we are grateful for the support of the charity should you wish to do so.
What’s involved …
1) 30 Hours of online learning
Certification involves a self-directed learning process, however, BSLM provides candidates with the assistance of our voluntary Study Group leaders and access to a section of the website with educational resources for certification. The exam must be taken within 36 months of CPD.
Candidates are strongly recommended to undertake the no CME foundations of Lifestyle Medicine Board Review Course (LMBRC) offered by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. This course which provides 30 hours of learning was developed by lead authors John Kelly, MD, MPH and Jeni Shull, MD, MPH, with active participation from an Editorial Advisory Panel comprised of many of the leading experts in the field of lifestyle medicine.
Candidates wishing to include additional learning are encouraged to consider the 30 hour online Lifestyle Medicine Core Competencies course offered by the American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM), as this will also provide a solid grounding for the exam. There is a separate fee charged by ACPM for this course. Unfortunately there is no special discount for BSLM members.
There are also other highly regarded courses that will assist with exam preparation. The following are recommended by the IBLM:
- Institute of Lifestyle Medicine (Harvard) online courses
- Cornell certificate in plant-based nutrition .
2) In-Person Learning
In addition to theoretical content, there is a live, in-person requirement element so that health professionals can experience the energy, enthusiasm and motivation that comes from a gathering of a movement. The in-person requirement enables you to network with like-minded individuals, peers and experts. Engaging with others who may both struggle and succeed in getting traction in their daily jobs, drawing on their newfound knowledge. Lifestyle Medicine is at the pioneering stage and thus needs passionate, purpose driven people who collaborate with each other to bring about change.
Attending BSLM’s annual or regional conferences, or other similar BSLM events, qualify for the 10 hours of in-person cpd. Each conference hour, including gala dinner, is accepted as an in-person cpd hour. This must be physical, in-person attendance, for the reasons above.
In person learning counts within 36 month period. Unfortunately BSLM2020 was a virtual event and therefore does not qualify, all in-person attendance for previous Conferences, within the 36 month period, will qualify.
Other ways of meeting this pre-requisite could include international Lifestyle Medicine Society events (ACLM, ASLM, etc ),
Institute of Lifestyle Medicine (Harvard) conferences .
Food as Medicine conferences.
International Plant Based Nutrition Healthcare Conferences
Check out our Events Page for upcoming alternative options for in person events (Covid guidelines dependent).
3) Case Study
The third pre-requisite is the submission of a case study. This is more of a reflective piece and can be done on a patient, friend/family member, even yourself … but is to highlight your understanding and implementation of the lifestyle changes implemented. The case study is to be completed one month prior to the start of exam period.
4) Exam
The final stage of certification is the writing of the annual International Board of Lifestyle Medicine exam. The exams are expected to be held regionally in Nov/Dec 2022
The exams are all 4 hours and consist of multiples choice questions (150 for Physicians and 120 for Professionals & Practitioners)
- 150 multiple choice questions for Lifestyle Medicine physicians (four hours)
- 120 multiple choice questions for Lifestyle Medicine professionals/practitioners (four hours)
BSLM will provide additional resources, references, articles and other reading to assist with exam preparation.
- 30 hours of self-directed online Lifestyle Medicine specific CPD – see examples below
- 10 hours of in-person Lifestyle Medicine specific CPD eg: physical attendance at Lifestyle Medicine conferences including the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine’s annual conference. CPD must not be older than three years prior to the exam) (a reminder that the 2020 Conference which had to go virtual due to Covid 19, would not qualify as it was not “in person”)
- A formal case study of your experience/practice/application of Lifestyle Medicine (submitted no later than one month before the exam)
A formal exam (exams are expected to be held annually):
- 150 multiple choice questions for Lifestyle Medicine physicians (four hours)
- 120 multiple choice questions for Lifestyle Medicine professionals/practitioners (four hours)
(CPD must not be older than three years prior to the exam)
More info around Exam logistics can be found here.
