Sunday Pre-Conference Workshop: How to Integrate Spirituality and Religiosity into Lifestyle Medicine Practice?
In lifestyle medicine, spirituality and religiosity (S/R) are increasingly recognized as integral components of holistic patient care. Research demonstrates that addressing S/R can significantly impact mental, emotional, and physical health outcomes, enhancing patient satisfaction and adherence to treatment plans. Despite this, many practitioners feel ill-equipped to navigate these sensitive topics in clinical practice, with a lack of training and time being the most cited barriers. This interactive, hands-on workshop is designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, equipping participants with practical tools and strategies to effectively integrate S/R into lifestyle medicine. By focusing on both conceptual understanding and skill-building, participants will leave the session confident in their ability to address S/R in a respectful, patient-centered, and evidence-based manner. The workshop begins with a brief overview of definitions and the latest research highlighting the impact of S/R on health outcomes as well as its relation to lifestyle medicine (LM) pillars. Participants will then explore the ethical and cultural considerations of addressing S/R, ensuring that practices align with patient autonomy, cultural competence, and professional guidelines. This workshop is designed for a diverse audience of lifestyle medicine practitioners, including physicians, health professionals, health coaches, and others who are eager to expand their skill set in providing holistic, patient-centered care. Whether you are new to S/R integration or looking to refine your approach, this session will provide valuable insights, skills, and practical tools to enrich your practice and improve patient outcomes.
Learning Objectives
- Discuss the role of spirituality and religiosity in promoting mental and physical health within the context of lifestyle medicine.
- Determine how to address S/R in a culturally competent, ethical, and patient-centered manner.
- Acquire hands-on experience using validated tools and frameworks for assessing and integrating S/R into clinical care.
- Clara Correa Fernandes, MD
- John Kelly, MD, MPH, LM Intensivist