A multidisciplinary multi-system approach
To be an effective antidote to the chronic disease problem, lifestyle medicine requires a multidisciplinary multi-system approach – which embraces and works alongside other approaches such as self care, self management, social prescribing and group consultations. It requires clinicians, public health professionals, researchers, scientists and educators working together to affect change.
The principles of lifestyle medicine must be applied not only at the clinical practice level, but must also encompass public health policy and prevention. Healthcare professionals, individuals and governments and policy makers must play their part.
Supporting individuals to make positive changes
The lifestyle medicine approach seeks to support individuals to make positive behaviour changes. It is not about blaming or lecturing people.
It recognises the need for, and the continued importance of, other therapeutic interventions in healthcare including surgical and pharmaceutical where these are determined to be necessary, appropriate and effective. Where it has the proven potential to have the most impact, however, lifestyle medicine simply needs to be a greater part of the healthcare mix.
A Global Movement for Change
Lifestyle medicine is a mainstream, global movement for change. In the last decade, lifestyle medicine societies and colleges have been founded across the world. Why not become part of this movement … join the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine today.
