RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this expert consensus process was to identify the competencies that lifestyle medicine (LM) Intensivists should be expected to have within their skill set. METHODS: Expert panel members with experience in intensive, therapeutic lifestyle change (ITLC) updated and expanded a previously published set of competencies for this intensive LM practice, using an established process for developing consensus statements adapted for the topic. The previously published set of competencies was discussed for possible revision and expansion. Proposed changes were assessed for consensus using a modified Delphi process. RESULTS: The expert panel revised the original list of 34 competencies, maintaining the 6 initial proposed topics that were previously published as Specialist Competencies: (1) Practice-Based Learning and Improvement, (2) Patient Care and Procedural Skills (3) Systems-Based Practice, (4) Medical Knowledge, (5) Interpersonal and Communication Skills, and (6) Professionalism. After a series of meetings and an iterative Delphi process of voting and revision, a final set of 46 competency statements for LM Intensivists achieved consensus. CONCLUSION: These competencies define the scope of practice and desired skill set for LM Intensivists. Further, these competencies establish a standard for certification of LM Intensivists.
RESUMEN
The lifestyle medicine core competencies were developed by a committee of physicians from several medical specialties to provide guidance on the knowledge and skills needed for physicians to provide high quality lifestyle interventions that optimize chronic disease outcomes. These competencies were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2010 and used as the foundation for the first lifestyle medicine course and for the lifestyle medicine board certification examination. In the ensuing years, interest in the field and application has expanded to a variety of health professionals. With evolution of the lifestyle medicine evidence-base, the competencies have been updated. This article sums up the changes in their organization and content. Regular updates are anticipated to align with the ongoing scientific studies and evolution of the field.