Abstract
Purpose: Allied health students may experience a range of academic, financial, and social stressors which negatively impact their health and well-being. During the COVID-19 pandemic, additional threats to student health and well-being were introduced. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to pilot an online lifestyle medicine program for enhancing students’ physical, mental, social, and spiritual health. Method: This study employed a quasi-experimental, mixed-method study to test the effectiveness of an online health program. Participants engaged in a four-week lifestyle medicine program titled “5 Minutes to a Healthier You.” Participants completed the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II) before and after the program. Additionally, they completed a 7-item post-program survey and engaged in semi-structured interviews approximately one month post participation. Results: Thirty-one (31) students were enrolled in the program with 10 completing both pre- and post-assessments, and four engaging in the semi-structured interview. Program participation resulted in a statistically significant decrease in anxiety and increases in healthy behaviors among allied health students. Four themes emerged from the post-program interviews including “Program Effectiveness,” “Insight and Desire for Health,” “Barriers and Supports to Health,” and “Program Structure.” Conclusions: Findings from this pilot study suggest that a four-week online program centered on lifestyle medicine may positively impact allied health students’ physical, mental, and emotional health. Recommendations: Allied health students may benefit from engaging in brief health programming which emphasizes principles of lifestyle medicine, personal goal setting, accountability, and guidance from an occupational therapist.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to acknowledge Dr. Wayne Dysinger for sharing his expertise in lifestyle medicine and the pillars of health as part of the video content for the program. Further, Makayla Draeger, Rachelle Gensolin, Audrey Haijon Gunggut, Seoyoon Jeon, Delight Muvuti and Kilory Weis who contributed to the process of obtaining ethical clearance, collecting data and data analysis as part of their coursework for their Master’s in Occupational Therapy degree. The authors would also like to acknowledge Dr. Lida Gharibvand for her expertise in statistics and support with obtaining ethical clearance and analyzing and interpreting the data. The authors wish to acknowledge Dr. Gurinder Bains for his support with obtaining ethical clearance. Finally, the authors would like to thank the participants of this study who engaged in the program and shared their personal experiences related to their health and well-being.
Recommended Citation
Krpalek D, Kugel JD. Lifestyle Medicine for Allied Health Students: A Pilot Study of an Online Program. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2024 Jun 26;22(3), Article 12.
