“In order to reduce the burden on family doctors and ensure an even smoother patient healthcare process, part of the family doctor’s functions will be transferred to his team members: case manager, ward administrator, nurse, midwife, physiotherapist, social worker and lifestyle medicine specialist.” The main task of the latter is a comprehensive assessment of a person’s lifestyle and risk factors for chronic diseases, drawing up plans for lifestyle correction and health promotion,” said the head of the Department of Primary Health Care, Dentistry and Medical Rehabilitation of the Department of Personal Health. specialist Virginija Karaliūtė Žulienė.
What health problems can a lifestyle medicine specialist help with?
Assistant of the Family Medicine Clinic of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU), lifestyle medicine specialist Kotryna Nausėdė says that lifestyle medicine specialists help manage chronic diseases and their clinical manifestations. They teach nutrition, sleep, and physical activity habits, develop mental and emotional resilience, and help control bad habits.
“These specialists assess the main lifestyle-related risk factors and create an individualized lifestyle program tailored to the patient’s health needs. An important part of this specialist’s consultation is the application of motivational tools and strategies,” Lina Paulauskienė, assistant of the LSMU Family Medicine Clinic and Department of Preventive Medicine, physician, lifestyle medicine specialist, seconded her colleague.
Lifestyle medicine is used in various chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, gout, arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, allergies, autoimmune diseases, overweight or obesity, chronic anemia, oncological diseases. Also for those who complain of weakened immunity, general weakness and fatigue, disturbed sleep quality, inability to manage stress.
According to K. Nausėdė, lifestyle medicine specialists can help patients in the risk group of cardiovascular diseases. Such patients often suffer from cholesterol, and also have a higher risk of developing atherosclerosis: “This means that the patient’s blood vessels become narrower and stiffer, scarring plaque atheroma forms, and thrombi form. There is a risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, aortic dilatation and other dangerous health conditions. Since the increase in cholesterol levels is related to lifestyle habits, a specialist in lifestyle medicine helps to correct them safely and effectively.
Extremely useful in the GP team
A referral to a lifestyle medicine specialist can be made by a family doctor, specialist doctor or other health care professional. It is also possible to register for the patient himself, as referral for consultation is not required.
According to L.Paulauskienė, lifestyle medicine specialists closely cooperate with family doctors and their team members, so they can offer each patient the most suitable method of treatment or prevention of diseases. “After the consultation, a 6-month individual lifestyle change plan is drawn up, in which goals are set in relevant lifestyle areas,” she noted.
Currently, lifestyle medicine specialists work in both the public and private health sectors in various Lithuanian cities. The aim is to make the services of lifestyle medicine specialists available to all patients in primary health care institutions.
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#Complementing #family #doctors #team #lifestyle #medicine #specialists #reduce #likelihood #chronic #diseases
**Interview with Kotryna Nausėdė, Lifestyle Medicine Specialist at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Kotryna. Let’s start by discussing the role of lifestyle medicine in managing chronic diseases. How is it different from traditional approaches?
**Kotryna Nausėdė**: Thank you for having me. Lifestyle medicine is a holistic approach that focuses not just on the diseases themselves but also on the individual’s daily habits and lifestyle choices. While traditional medicine often emphasizes medication, lifestyle medicine encourages patients to adopt healthier habits in areas such as nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and stress management.
**Editor**: That sounds promising. Can you elaborate on the types of chronic diseases that lifestyle medicine can effectively manage?
**Kotryna Nausėdė**: Absolutely. Lifestyle medicine has proven beneficial for a range of chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and autoimmune disorders. We also address issues like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, allergies, and problems related to mental health, such as sleep disturbances and stress-related conditions. By addressing the underlying lifestyle factors, we can significantly improve patients’ quality of life.
**Editor**: You mentioned personalized lifestyle programs. What does that process entail?
**Kotryna Nausėdė**: When a patient comes to us, we start with a comprehensive assessment of their lifestyle and health risks. This allows us to create a tailored program that meets their specific health needs. We incorporate motivational strategies to help them stay committed to their goals. This personalized approach not only helps in managing existing conditions but also plays a crucial role in prevention.
**Editor**: How do lifestyle medicine specialists collaborate with other healthcare professionals?
**Kotryna Nausėdė**: Collaboration is key. As part of a healthcare team, lifestyle medicine specialists work alongside family doctors, nurses, and other professionals like physiotherapists and nutritionists. This team-based approach ensures that all aspects of the patient’s health are considered, leading to more holistic and effective care.
**Editor**: Given the rising cases of chronic diseases, how important do you think lifestyle medicine will be in the future?
**Kotryna Nausėdė**: It’s becoming increasingly crucial. As chronic diseases continue to proliferate, patient-centered approaches like lifestyle medicine provide a sustainable and effective way to address these challenges. As we shift some responsibilities from family doctors to trained specialists, we ensure a more efficient healthcare system that focuses on prevention and comprehensive management.
**Editor**: Thank you, Kotryna, for sharing your insights on the important work of lifestyle medicine. It certainly seems to offer great potential in transforming chronic disease management.
**Kotryna Nausėdė**: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss it! I’m optimistic about the future of lifestyle medicine and its role in enhancing patient care.
