Abstract Body

Background

Lifestyle medicine (LM) has become an integral component of Family Medicine. However, most physicians report insufficient confidence, clinical knowledge, and skills as major barriers to counseling patients about lifestyle. A free online LM course was created using the NextGenU.org platform to bridge the gap. This research evaluates its implementation.

Methods

We developed a 30-hour, competency-based course, 10 modules consisting of readings, videos, quizzes, and peer/mentored activities. All course components (like all NextGenU.org courses/training) are free, including registration, learning, testing, and a certificate of completion. The course has been offered online since 2017 (updated in 2020) for independent use and as part of a freely-available Master’s in Public Health.

Results.

Among students, 636 began and 114 completed the course; 100 took the final exam (15.7%), 94 passed. Positive feedback was received from students, including easy accessibility, high quality of educational resources, and the importance of issues. Heavy reading requirements were reported as a challenge (particularly by non-native-English-speakers), which led to a revision of the course in 2020 to include more concise readings and presentation recordings of the lessons.

Conclusion

This online LM course shows great promise to provide affordable, quality LM education to a global audience, particularly now during current pandemic challenges. Continued research is needed to assess knowledge and skill gains, and long-term impact on LM counseling among family physicians and other health professionals.

Abstract Body

In 2015, the IMA surveyed Israeli physicians regarding health practices and status, since it is well known that physicians who practice a healthy lifestyle will be healthier and more likely to promote healthy behavior to their patients.
The survey was sent to 25,000 physicians; 4,832 responded.

The survey revealed that most Israeli physicians do not practice a healthy lifestyle. Over one-third of respondents noted exercising fewer than 150 minutes a week. Only half eat breakfast or sit down to lunch. Only one-third eat a Mediterranean diet, drink enough water, and eat five pieces of fruit and vegetables daily. Less than half had normal BMI. 8.5% of respondents were smokers, lower than the Israeli general population but higher than rates of physicians who smoke in America (4%) and Canada (3.3%).

In light of the results, the IMA established a Forum of experts to facilitate change in physicians' health behaviors. The group was divided into teams, each focusing on a separate issue: exercise, burnout and stress, nutrition, smoking, personal care, and raising awareness. The workgroup formulated practical ideas, some of which have already been implemented.

Conclusion: Most Israeli physicians do not practice a healthy lifestyle.

The innovative activities of The Israeli forum for physician's health and wellbeing are showing a promising move towards improving the health status of Israeli physicians.