Physician’s lifestyle counseling knowledge, attitude, and practice: A basis for lifestyle medicine continuing medical education (CME)

ABSTRACT

Background@#The close association of lifestyle with the pathogenesis of chronic diseases has been established since early times. Lifestyle medicine provides an evidence-based solution to the Non-communicable disease epidemic. However, physicians do not receive adequate training on lifestyle counseling and intervention in both undergraduate education and graduate medical training. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether knowledge and attitude regarding lifestyle medicine and the Physicians’ personal lifestyle practices will determine the presence or absence of lifestyle counseling in their medical practice.@*Methods@#An online survey questionnaire was formed and spread through the internet. The questionnaire consisted of four parts- demographics, physicians’ personal lifestyle practices, their attitudes, and knowledge about Lifestyle Medicine. Ethical approval was granted.@*Results@#Out of 188 respondents, 81.4% were females with mean age ranging between 40-49 years. 49 (26.1%) were residents, 84 (44.7%) were Fellows and the remaining participants were Diplomates. 71.3% and 48.4% of respondents said that they include animal and plant food in their diet. The results regarding attitude and knowledge of the doctors of Lifestyle Medicine were mostly insignificant.@*Conclusion@#The study doesn’t only provide information about the knowledge gap and lack of counseling skills but also highlights the urgent need for lifestyle medicine education programs for the new trainees as well as practicing physicians.