AACOM Releases Historic Statement After “Food As Medicine” Special Session
April 19 2024 - 1:41PM
Today, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
(AACOM) convened a special Friday Forum during it’s Educating
Leaders 2024 conference to focus on the emerging concept of “Food
as Medicine”.
“We are witnessing a dynamic shift in the healthcare landscape.
As physicians and osteopathic medical educators, it is imperative
we recognize and embrace this shift,” said Robert Cain, DO,
President and CEO of AACOM. “Understanding and addressing the
impact of healthy eating patterns and access to nutritious food on
health, prevention and management of chronic disease is crucial for
future physicians.”
Recently, the White House committed to a new healthcare
framework that echoes osteopathic medicine’s century-old
principles. Additionally, Congressional and Health and Human
Services leaders are voicing support for community-oriented health
solutions, another foundation of osteopathic medicine. DO’s
holistic approach is more relevant than ever and the
osteopathic medical community in a uniquely qualified to lead this
effort.
Following presentations from subject matter experts Dawn
Musselman, DO and Alissa Wassung, as well as breakout sessions
addressing key aspects of food as medicine, the attendees voiced
support for the following first of its kind statement:
Elevating Health through Nutrition: Embracing
the Principles of Food as Medicine in Osteopathic Medical
Education
As osteopathic physicians and educators, we
adhere to the principles of treating the whole person—body, mind
and spirit. As true healing encompasses more than the
treatment of symptoms, these principles require us to address the
underlying factors that influence health and wellbeing. Nutrition
stands at the forefront, and the principle of food as medicine must
play a pivotal role in shaping our approach to patient
care.
Understanding and addressing the impact of
healthy eating patterns and access to nutritious food on health,
prevention and management of chronic disease is crucial for future
physicians. By integrating the concept of food as medicine into
their education, osteopathic medical students can better appreciate
the interconnectedness of nutrition to physical and psychological
health, leading to more comprehensive and effective patient
care.
The members of the American Association of
Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) are committed to enhancing
nutrition education and incorporating food as medicine principles
in all Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (COMs). We will work to
support our members to implement these five guiding principles to
ensure our graduating osteopathic physicians are equipped with the
knowledge and skills to leverage food as medicine in their future
practices, promoting holistic health and wellness for their
patients and communities.
-
Integration of Nutrition Across the Medical Education
Continuum: Integrate nutrition education through the lens of
the osteopathic principles, throughout the pre-clinical and
clinical curricula; within basic science, osteopathic clinical
skills courses, on clinical rotations, through postgraduate
training, and continuing with faculty development and CME for
graduated physicians.
-
Curriculum Development: Develop evidence-based nutrition
curricula tailored to the needs of osteopathic medical students,
with an emphasis on integrative approaches to health and
wellness.
-
Experiential Learning Opportunities and Community
Engagement: Partner with community organizations to offer
hands-on experiences such as culinary medicine workshops, community
garden projects, simulation sessions and cooking classes. Provide
students with practical skills for counseling patients on dietary
interventions and healthful eating patterns.
-
Interprofessional Collaboration: Foster collaboration among
medical students, dieticians, chefs, and other healthcare
professionals to provide comprehensive care that addresses both
medical and nutritional needs.
-
Clinical Training in Nutritional Counseling: Provide a
deeper understanding of the evidence-based recommendations as well
as dedicated training in patient counseling techniques, such as
motivational interviewing and behavioral change strategies, to
empower students to effectively communicate with patients about
lifestyle modifications.
AACOM and its members are proud to lead the medical education
profession in developing nutrition education that embodies the core
principles of whole person health and wellness that characterize
osteopathic medicine. This enables future practitioners to view
food as more than mere sustenance but as a powerful form of
improving the health and wellbeing of all.
About AACOM:
Founded in 1898, the American Association of Colleges of
Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) is the leading voice for the education
and training of physicians who practice osteopathic medicine in
settings across the medical spectrum—from primary care to the full
range of medical specialties. We support our member colleges of
osteopathic medicine in their efforts to attract and train
individuals who are fueled by a desire to make a difference in our
healthcare system by treating the whole person and building a
future emphasizing health and wellness for all people. Today, more
than 36,000 future physicians—25 percent of all U.S. medical
students—are being educated at one of our 41 accredited colleges of
osteopathic medicine, encompassing 66 teaching locations in 35
states. To learn more about AACOM, please visit our website.
Joseph Shapiro
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
240-938-0746
jshapiro@aacom.org