Role of Lifestyle Medicine and Applications in Otolaryngology

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: “Common sense.” “I already do all of that.” “That doesn’t really make a big difference.” These comments have been uttered in response to a suggestion regarding lifestyle habits. We all have some superficial knowledge or idea of what “healthy living” looks like, so why is it so hard for us (and our patients) to do it?

Lifestyle Medicine is a growing specialty of providers dedicated to clinical practice of lifestyle changes that serve as the foundation of personal health and health care system sustainability. Therapeutic interventions in each of the six pillars are utilized as the primary modality to treat, and in some cases reverse, chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, and obesity. The six pillars include nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, positive relationships, and avoidance of risky substances. As otolaryngology providers, we treat patients who have cardiovascular and metabolic diseases daily but tend to pay attention only when their blood thinner use exacerbates epistaxis, or their hyperglycemia causes cancellation of an elective surgery. How often do we pause to consider the impact their sleep apnea has on their glucose metabolism, or the role of their recent inpatient hospital admission on their level of frailty and complaints of dizziness?

Examination of these pillars can also be applied to ourselves and our society in line with AAO-HNS strategic plans to focus on wellness and resiliency. Burnout rates are higher than ever but broadening the view of wellness and encouraging its active pursuit may have a larger impact on burnout by promoting “health span” now and in the future.

Lifestyle Medicine transcends subspecialty focus and promotes collaboration among our colleagues. It empowers patients to take control of their health and it has the potential to improve patient outcomes. Join us as we discuss opportunities to improve patient care and satisfaction, promote personal wellness, combat burnout and foster unity among otolaryngologists and all medical specialties.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Demonstrate competency in the six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine-nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, positive relationships, and avoidance of risky substances.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Recognize opportunities to implement lifestyle interventions in daily practice, assess outcomes, and gain proficiency in health behavior counseling techniques.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Assess the value of lifestyle changes to prevent and manage clinician burnout, including utilization of lifestyle interventions in the workplace and community.

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: Lifestyle choices and habits contribute greatly to sobering trends in healthcare, including physician burnout, yet there is little training or support to explore how areas such as nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management and connections with others impact our health.