Master program in Lifestyle Medicine: new approach in healthcare in Lithuania

BACKGROUND: Many studies have proven that lifestyle medicine approach is more effective in preventing, arresting, and reversing chronic diseases than the traditional curative approach. OBJECTIVES: The first European Union Master degree in Public Health of Lifestyle medicine was established at Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LUHS) in 2016. The program aims at preparing mediators in unifying classical community-focused public health with person-oriented health services. These health specialists are able to manage risk factors, change individual behaviors related to chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCD's), and work as members in medical teams, especially in primary health care services, public health settings and private sector. RESULTS: This program started a new tradition of studies in public health area with advanced competencies in non-pharmaceutical interventions, addressing the roots of NCD's, rather than management of the outcomes. Up to recently, nearly 100 graduates completed the program. It became one of the most popular Master programs at LUHS. The major challenge faced, was introduction of this new approach into Lithuanian healthcare system, demonstrating the need and the effectiveness of the newly trained specialists in the process of health management both for politicians, health care professionals and society. In 2019, lifestyle medicine professionals were officially integrated into primary healthcare sector as team members of physicians. The major success was achieved at the structural level in 2023, when minister of health of Lithuania signed the order that each team of family physicians is obliged to employ lifestyle medicine professional and allocate specific tasks and resources to this new member of the primary health care team. CONCLUSIONS: Lithuanian healthcare system is now ready to employ lifestyle medicine professionals. It is expected that they will contribute to health improvement of Lithuanian population. KEY MESSAGES: • Lifestyle medicine program trains highly needed professionals for Lithuanian healthcare system. • Healthcare system is now ready to employ lifestyle medicine professionals.