Incorporating Lifestyle Medicine Knowledge and Skills Into Family Nurse Practitioner Education: A Pilot Program

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Public Health
• Nursing

Background:

• A pilot project integrated Lifestyle Medicine (LM) principles into a family nurse practitioner (FNP) curriculum.
• The integration aimed to enhance students' preparedness in addressing patient well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of integrating Lifestyle Medicine content into an FNP program.
• To assess changes in student knowledge, confidence, and competency regarding LM.

Main Methods:

• Incorporated the 6 pillars of LM through lectures, case studies, a narrative assignment, and a live simulation.
• Collected data via surveys from 41 students and evaluation data from 38 students on a simulation experience.

Main Results:

• FNP students reported increased preparedness to assess and address LM with patients.
• 100% of surveyed students intended to apply LM knowledge and skills in their future practice.

Conclusions:

• Systematic integration of LM content significantly improved student knowledge, confidence, and competency.
• This study supports strategies for enhancing clinician skills in promoting patient health outcomes through LM.