Lake Region Healthcare: Improving Patient Health Outcomes Through Shared Medical Appointments
Ardmore Institute of Health is delighted to support Lake Region Healthcare’s Rural Lifestyle Medicine Pilot Program, an initiative that integrates Lifestyle Medicine into patient care.
Last year, Lake Region Healthcare facilitated two 8-week Shared Medical Appointment (SMA) programs – one for patients with obesity and one for patients with diabetes. Each program utilized a curriculum grounded in Lifestyle Medicine principles including nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, and social connections.
Among the 18 participants in the obesity SMA, 11 experienced a reduction in BMI between the start of the class and six months post-program. Of those 11, 4 reduced their BMI from the obese to the overweight category.
For the 15 participants in the diabetes SMA, the average HbA1c level decreased by 1.25% from the start of the program to six months post-program. After six months, 10 participants achieved an HbA1c level below 7%.
Many participants shared powerful testimonials about their experience:
“This class connected me with a CGM, and my A1C has dropped from 9.1 to 6.7. I am walking more, drinking more water, and understanding how food choices impact my readings.”
“The group support is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I don’t feel alone in this journey, knowing that other patients are experiencing what I am. I looked forward to coming every time! Thank you for the building blocks to better health!”
“I recently lost my husband and have been unable to pull myself out of the grief. The connections of this group and some of the topics presented really hit me hard, and I have begun taking steps to care for myself again.”
“I am new to diabetes and this group has really taught me a lot about what I may be stepping into and motivating me to possibly reverse the diagnosis. As a result of the class, I have made some lasting lifestyle changes. My A1C has dropped to 5.7, which is now prediabetic.”
Alongside the SMA programs, Lake Region Healthcare has successfully hosted five food preparation classes, where participants learn about basic cooking skills, high-fiber foods, and healthy preparation methods.
AIH is thrilled to highlight Lake Region Healthcare’s success in transforming patient care through the power of Lifestyle Medicine.
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