Theme 3. Transforming patients’ and caregivers’ experience and health
Presentation Materials (members only)
The Vitality Interprofessional Team Approach to Food, Mood and Fitness
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
- Become familiar with a interactive lifestyle program for overweight or obese (BMI 26-40) patients facilitated by an interprofessional team including a RD, OT and SW with a focus on health and well being vs. weight alone
- Gain an appreciation of a patient-centered approach to program content and delivery
- Identify key outcome measures of success for a lifestyle program in primary care
- Access tools and resources to offer a similar program in your family health team setting.
Summary
With 25% of Canadian adults classified as overweight or obese and recent systematic reviews emphasizing the importance of offering structured behavioural interventions in primary care aimed at weight loss and adding small amounts of exercise to reduce risk of chronic disease, the Vitality Healthy Lifestyle program nicely aligns with current best evidence while meeting the needs of our patients. The 11 week lifestyle program offered at the McMaster Family Health Team uses a non-diet approach to educate and empower patients on healthy lifestyle choices to improve health outcomes and promote a small weight loss in a healthy, realistic way. Facilitated by a Registered Dietitian, Social Worker and an Occupational Therapist, participants have the opportunity to learn what influences their food, mood and activity patterns and practice cognitive behavioural strategies to manage emotional eating, eat more mindfully, reframe negative self talk, become more active, try different physical activities, develop action plans and achieve health goals. Patients choose topics of interest and activities they would like to engage in. Linkages with local community resources are explored to assist with managing future relapses. Patients are highly satisfied with this interactive, patient-centered approach that affords opportunities to access specialized advice from the right provider at the right time along with opportunities to learn from each other and become empowered to make positive life-style changes.
Presenters
- McMaster FHT:
- Michele MacDonald Werstuck, RD MSc CDE Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Educator
- Colleen O’Neill, OT Reg (ONT) Occupational Therapist
- Miriam Wolfson, SW Mental Health Counselor