The Keck School of Medicine of USC is making significant strides in modernizing medical education by incorporating diet and exercise training into its primary care curriculum. This initiative aims to equip future physicians with the necessary skills to provide patients with evidence-based guidance on nutrition and physical activity, addressing a critical educational gap in medical training.
Bridging the Educational Gap in Primary Care
Historically, medical training has offered minimal education on how to counsel patients about maintaining health through diet and exercise. Recognizing the need to fill this void, especially given the soaring rates of chronic diseases, the Keck School’s Primary Care Initiative has introduced a new curriculum focused explicitly on these areas.
Jo Marie Reilly, MD, professor of clinical family medicine and director of the Primary Care Initiative, noted the urgency of this integration. “With chronic disease at record highs, we believed that we needed to train students in evidence-based nutrition and exercise, and are pleased to see that students improved their confidence and skill set after participation in the program,” she said.
Practical Application and Community Engagement
As part of their first-year training, medical students engage in exercise and nutrition modules, subsequently applying this knowledge at The Wellness Center at Los Angeles General Medical Center. Here, they conduct 15 different nutrition and exercise classes for the local community, available both in-person and via Zoom to accommodate all participants.
The bilingual classes cover essential topics such as reading food labels, understanding the impact of dietary choices on chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, and preparing culturally sensitive dishes alongside a bilingual chef. Exercise classes focus on strength training, cardiovascular health, and other key areas of physical wellness.
Impact and Feedback
The effectiveness of this new curriculum component is measured through knowledge and confidence surveys administered to students before and after their training. Results indicate a marked improvement in both the students’ ability to counsel their patients and their personal health habits.
Isabel Edge, MD, assistant professor of family medicine and assistant director of the initiative, highlighted the dual benefits of the program. “The students like the idea that they are learning practical skills and that they are learning about the types of questions their patients want to ask their doctors about diet and exercise,” she explained.
Addressing Broader Social Determinants of Health
The curriculum also prepares students to tackle the broader social determinants of health, such as safety in outdoor spaces and access to healthy foods, often referred to as food deserts. Many patients at The Wellness Center come from diverse, immigrant backgrounds, facing unique challenges that affect their health. Through this program, students learn to navigate and address these issues, providing care that is equitable and inclusive.
Publications and Future Directions
Details of the nutrition and exercise curriculums, alongside survey results and discussions on the program’s impact, have been published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. This initiative is part of broader efforts by the Keck School of Medicine to adapt its primary care program to meet the evolving health and medical needs of the 21st century. This includes introducing electives that focus on street medicine, substance use, elder care, and the care of patients with disabilities.
By integrating these crucial aspects of health and wellness into the medical curriculum, the Keck School of Medicine of USC continues to pioneer in providing comprehensive education that prepares its graduates to effectively meet the needs of contemporary America.