Lifestyle medicine in family practice: clarifying concepts, evidence, and training pathways
Rosália PÁSCOA, Joaquim PINTO, Lilach MALATSKEY, Tehila MAZAL and Vilma KRIAUČIONIENĖ
Lifestyle Medicine (LM) has gained wide visibility in recent years, yet misconceptions persist among healthcare professionals. LM is often confused with practices with non-evidence-based interventions. This conceptual ambiguity contributes to inconsistent implementation in clinical settings. At the same time, the growing burden of chronic diseases highlights the need for primary care teams to integrate structured, evidence-based lifestyle interventions. Family medicine (FM), with its holistic, person-centred approach and long-term clinical relationships, is uniquely positioned to deliver LM effectively. Clear definitions and access to credible training resources are essential for ensuring quality and consistency.By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to: Define what LM is and distinguish it clearly from what it is not. Describe the six foundational pillars of LM and the evidence base supporting each. Understand how LM principles align with and enhance core competencies in FM. Identify existing high-quality LM training programmes and resources appropriate for clinical practice.The workshop will combine a short introductory presentation, small-group discussions, and case-based interactive exercises. Evidence summaries will be presented through real-world examples, followed by guided reflection on their application in primary care settings. Participants will review a curated set of recognised LM training pathways and compare their structure, format, and accreditation. Workshop Schedule: Introduction & conceptual clarification (5 min) Six pillars and evidence review (10 min) Small-group case discussions (15 min) Overview of existing accredited LM courses (10 min) Integrating LM into daily Family Medicine practice (15 min) Final Q&A and wrap-up (5 min).Participants will gain a clear and evidence-based understanding of LM, increased confidence in differentiating it from non-scientific practices, and practical tools for applying LM principles in routine clinical encounters. They will leave with a list of credible LM training opportunities relevant to FM.Clarifying LM and grounding it in robust evidence is essential for strengthening its role. This workshop provides practical knowledge, structured resources, and clinical frameworks that enable FM practitioners to integrate LM confidently and effectively.
