When it comes to mental health, high blood pressure, headaches, diabetes, and other chronic conditions, I always talk to my patients about their diet, because it’s so important. If they say they’d like to “try diet” first, before adding a medication, I emphasize that they will likely need to make some big changes to make a large enough difference to avoid a future recommendation of starting a medicine when we follow-up. I also discuss how my patients on several medications may need need fewer if they make (or continue to make) big changes in their diet. I relish when I get to tell people they no longer need a blood pressure, diabetes, or mental health medicine because of the lifestyle changes they’ve made- I call these “high five” visits. So glad to hear that Food is Medicine at KUMed is still going strong!
And yes, I have had a few people over the last few years "inform" me of this awesome group on KUMC campus called Food is Medicine! Unfortunately, I don't think they have the campus CSA anymore.
That's awesome. Your patients are beyond lucky to have such a knowledgable, supportive and caring doctor. Do any of your colleagues approach things the same way, or how do you think you've influenced your team?
I trust that my colleagues (at least in the residency) are very supportive of lifestyle medicine approaches to chronic disease management. Most of the residents like my dotphrases that list supplements that help, eg migraines, anxiety, BPH. Hoping to get lifestyle medicine certification personally and then work toward the residency being formally designated.
Oh I forgot that your residency was more holistic. I'd be curious to hear about lifestyle med certification. I'm familiar with the organization but never felt it was necessary for me to get. I can see how you having it and formally bringing that into your residency program would be huge. Very cool!
When it comes to mental health, high blood pressure, headaches, diabetes, and other chronic conditions, I always talk to my patients about their diet, because it’s so important. If they say they’d like to “try diet” first, before adding a medication, I emphasize that they will likely need to make some big changes to make a large enough difference to avoid a future recommendation of starting a medicine when we follow-up. I also discuss how my patients on several medications may need need fewer if they make (or continue to make) big changes in their diet. I relish when I get to tell people they no longer need a blood pressure, diabetes, or mental health medicine because of the lifestyle changes they’ve made- I call these “high five” visits. So glad to hear that Food is Medicine at KUMed is still going strong!
And yes, I have had a few people over the last few years "inform" me of this awesome group on KUMC campus called Food is Medicine! Unfortunately, I don't think they have the campus CSA anymore.
That's awesome. Your patients are beyond lucky to have such a knowledgable, supportive and caring doctor. Do any of your colleagues approach things the same way, or how do you think you've influenced your team?
I trust that my colleagues (at least in the residency) are very supportive of lifestyle medicine approaches to chronic disease management. Most of the residents like my dotphrases that list supplements that help, eg migraines, anxiety, BPH. Hoping to get lifestyle medicine certification personally and then work toward the residency being formally designated.
Oh I forgot that your residency was more holistic. I'd be curious to hear about lifestyle med certification. I'm familiar with the organization but never felt it was necessary for me to get. I can see how you having it and formally bringing that into your residency program would be huge. Very cool!