American College of Lifestyle Medicine and Epic Join Forces to Revolutionize Health Assessments

American College of Lifestyle Medicine Collaborates with Epic

In a groundbreaking move, the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) has partnered with Epic, a leading provider of electronic health records (EHR), to incorporate a suite of lifestyle behavior assessment tools into their platform. This integration marks a significant milestone in the journey towards better management of chronic diseases, leveraging advanced technology to facilitate healthcare delivery.

Importance of Lifestyle Medicine

Lifestyle choices are at the core of many chronic health conditions in the U.S., with an alarming 80% of chronic diseases linked to lifestyle choices. These choices also correspond to 90% of healthcare expenditures. Recognizing this, the ACLM has developed tools that empower healthcare providers to not only treat but also prevent chronic illnesses through lifestyle interventions.

The new tools being integrated into the Epic EHR system include the ACLM’s lifestyle medicine short form assessment tool, designed to gauge patient lifestyle behaviors and their motivation for change. Additionally, clinicians will gain access to the ACLM Diet Screener, which offers insights into a patient’s dietary habits, and the Physical Activity Vital Sign (PAVS) tool, which assesses physical activity levels effectively.

Commentary from Experts

Dr. David Michael, Medical Director of the Lifestyle Medicine Clinic at ECU Health, expressed excitement over this advancement, emphasizing the shift from a reactive healthcare model to a proactive one. This integration will enhance the ability of healthcare teams to collect and analyze lifestyle data directly at the point of care, ultimately enabling patients to make healthier choices and reducing the prevalence of chronic diseases.