Introduction / Rationale: Occupational therapy (OT) emphasizes holistic practices, wellness, and prevention to enhance client participation and well-being. Lifestyle Medicine provides a framework for OT practitioners and students to address chronic conditions through therapeutic lifestyle interventions, advancing the profession’s role in sustainable healthcare. Integrating health promotion and wellness principles allows OT to tackle challenges in underserved and rural communities, such as limited access to care and higher rates of chronic conditions, aligning with curriculum standards that prioritize population health and equity.
Objectives:
- Discuss introductory components of Lifestyle Medicine as they relate to OT practice
- Explore how Lifestyle Medicine and OT can support wellness and prevention in underserved and rural communities through integrated curricula.
- Identify opportunities for incorporating Lifestyle Medicine certification within OT curriculum design to address health disparities.
Methods / Approach: This session outlines strategies to embed Lifestyle Medicine into OT curricula, focusing on interdisciplinary collaboration, experiential learning, and evidence-based frameworks. Participants will explore curriculum design, case studies, and innovative methods aligned with Lifestyle Medicine pillars, preparing students to address chronic disease management and health disparities in underserved communities.
Results / Practice Implications: Integrating Lifestyle Medicine into OT education equips practitioners to address health disparities effectively, improving client outcomes, reducing costs, and fostering equity. This approach enhances OT’s capacity to lead wellness-focused, equitable care initiatives.
Conclusion / Contribution to the occupational therapy profession: Integrating Lifestyle Medicine strengthens OT’s role in addressing healthcare challenges. By prioritizing underserved populations, this approach ensures the profession’s relevance in advancing equitable, sustainable care and positions practitioners as leaders in health promotion and prevention.