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UF Health University of Florida
Research and Discovery Pathways Programs
Pathways Tracks Overview

Lifestyle Medicine Discovery Pathway

Course Faculty

Amy J Sheer
Department: Department of Internal Medicine

Amy J Sheer M.D., M.P.H.

Associate Professor
Romeena Lee
Department: MD-ENDOCRINOLOGY

Romeena Lee

Adjunct Clinical Post-Doctoral Associate And Fellow

Max Students: 10

Track Description

In the Lifestyle Medicine Track, the students gain an understanding of the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine, which include the importance of healthy eating patterns, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connections. There is a focus on nutrition and counseling patients on healthy eating patterns. Students will build a foundation necessary to provide preventive medical care and a thoughtful understanding of chronic disease management.

Introduction and Importance of Lifestyle Medicine

With the growing number of individuals suffering from chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer, the importance of understanding lifestyle behaviors has become crucial in providing quality compassionate medical care in all disciplines of medicine. Lifestyle Medicine is an innovative initiative to increase a student’s understanding of the impact nutrition, physical activity, behavior change, sleep health, tobacco cessation, alcohol use reduction, and mental health have on an individual’s medical health.

Curriculum Topics

The curriculum topics are based on the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine. Each session will have a didactic component followed by a workshop or assignment.

  • Introduction: What is Lifestyle Medicine?
  • Empowering People to Change: Collaborating, Motivating, Goal Setting and Tracking
  • Nutrition: Basics
  • Nutrition: Reading the label
  • Nutrition: How it affects our body
  • Improving Health Through Exercise
  • Preventing Chronic Disease
  • Weight Management
  • Sleep: Why does it matter for your Health?
  • Stress Management: Peace of Mind with Medication, Mindfulness and Relaxation
  • The Power of Connection
  • Substance Use Disorder
  • Putting it All Together: Lifestyle and helping the Patient

General Structure of the Lifestyle Medicine Track

  • The track begins with a didactic session introducing the component of Lifestyle Medicine and their importance
  • This is a longitudinal experience that aims to introduce students to the components of daily living and how these activities may influence our health
  • During each session, students will meet BIMONTHLY (8-10 session total) with an Obesity Medicine Fellow and/or a faculty and have a didactic session followed by a workshop or learning assignment geared to foster discussion, investigate journal articles, and read studies together
  • Students will continue the next year with another 8-10 session series aimed at expanding the knowledge base and deepening the practices. A 2 credit elective will be earned at completion of the initial course.
  • Students are eligible to receive an Award of Distinction for the completion of a project and the (biweekly or 8-10 sessions) >90% of week series.
    • Students must do the following:
      • Complete 100% of assignments.
      • Attend at least one session to participate/volunteer at the UF Mobile Food Pharmacy.
      • Attend at least 3 EAC or Mobile clinic sessions to practice counseling patients with chronic diseases.
      • Complete a reflective writing assignment on two patient encounters that incorporated lifestyle medicine.
      •  Complete at least one project from the list below:
  • Project Options:
  • Quality Improvement:  Based on your clinical care experiences in the UF health care system, identify an improvement initiative that would help address one of the 6 Pillars of Lifestlye Medicine. The project will be submitted as a written proposal by the end of second year.
    1. Consider submitted this proposal as a QIRP/MSRP
  • Research: Identify a research question related to one of the 6 Pillars of Lifestlye medicine.
    1. Investigate this question using evidence-based databases (i.e. PubMed). If the question is not adequately answered consider starting a new research project (see b).
    1. Case Report or research question: Identify a new or ongoing project or question or interest to be involved. Submit a write-up or proposal. Consider MSRP.
  • Patient Education Material:
    1. Identify a topic in patient education relating to one of the 6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine and create an educational flyer and/or smart phrase that can be used when discussing this topic with patients
      1. This topic and/or patient population (patients with heart disease, cancer, obesity) can be specific based on your level of interest
  • Society/Organization Intiative:
    1. The American College of Lifestyle Medicine offers medical students opportunites to become involved in grassroot intiatives and research projects. Other societies/organizations, such as ACP, SGIM, ACC, FDA, CDC..etc. may have additional opportunities for involvement in lifestyle medicine-related projects. At the University of Florida we also have a robust nutrition education and diabetes program that may offer opportunities.  
    1. Idenitfy an ongoing or new project at a group/society and become involved. You will need to submit a description of the project and your involvement. It is encouraged for you to discuss the project and get approval to ensure it meets expectations to warrant an award of distinction.
  • Community Initiative:
    1. Identify an ongoing policy proposal or local health-related initiative to volunteer your time.
  • You will need to volunteer a sufficient amount of time to be able to present the substance of this initiative as a presentation to the track and also to outline your specific involvement. 
  • Create a new initiate is an option but should be approved.
    • For option A or B above you should include
  • Description of the problem the initiative is trying to address
  • Who are the key players driving the initiative (e.g. neighborhood(s), constituency of individuals around an issue, business, political leaders, specific professionals etc.)?
  • What are the specifics of the proposal?  How would it work?  What would it cost?  What would it save?
  • Are there comparable initiatives in other cities/counties/states?
  • How would the proposal be funded?  What is the plan for sustainability?
    • Projects can be completed as individuals or in groups of up to 3, potentially more.  Groups may be appropriate in cases where there is shared interest.  Periodic check-ins with the track director are recommended to ensure that the project is meeting expectations of quality to warrant an award of distinction.

Objectives and Goals

  • Familiarize students with a greater understanding of nutrition as a crucial piece of health
  • Prepare students to communicate effectively with patients about nutrition, exercise, mental health and substance use
  • Develop skills for motivational interviewing and empowering change in people

Requirements

  • Attendance of > 75% lectures and seminars
  • Completion of all assignments
  • Participation in group discussions during the course