1349 - Perspectives of Lifestyle Medicine and Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation; A Pilot Study

Thursday, February 19, 2026

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM AST

Presenting Author(s)

MA

Matison Alderman, MD

PGY4 Resident, Chief
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/ Jackson Health System
Miami, Florida, United States

Co-Author(s)

VC

Vittoria Costantino, MD

Physician
Locum Tenens
Miami Gardens, Florida, United States
MF

Max Farson, BS

Medical Student
FIU HWCOM
Miami, Florida, United States
ET

Eduard Tiozzo, PhD, MSCTI

Research Assistant Professor
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Miami, Florida, United States

Submitter(s)

MA

Matison Alderman, MD

PGY4 Resident, Chief
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/ Jackson Health System
Miami, Florida, United States

Objectives: Lifestyle medicine (LM) focuses on the promotion of healthy behaviors. This survey study aims to assess the awareness and perspectives of inpatient attending physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) physicians towards LM principles. It also assesses attitudes and perceptions regarding feasibility towards the possibility of integrating LM principles into acute inpatient rehabilitation (AIR) settings.

Design: An electronic survey was developed with questions regarding inpatient rehabilitation attendings’ use of LM in current patient care, beliefs and personal use of LM principles. All inpatient rehabilitation attendings (n=8) at an academic hospital were selected for recruitment.

Results: Our response rate was 88% (7 of 8). Across all pillars, at least 1 respondent said that they rarely discussed the topic with their patients. The most reported pillars that physicians rarely discussed with patients were healthy forms of stress management (n=4; 57%) and positive social connections (n=3; 43%). Majority of respondents somewhat agreed or strongly agreed (n=6; 88%) that LM has a role in AIR and patients could benefit from LM during AIR; one respondent was neutral to both questions. With respect to the feasibility of incorporating LM into clinical practice, responses varied across the spectrum of agreeance. In the free text questions, common themes also arose, time being a major challenge in implementing LM. All agreed (n=7; 100%) to some degree that education of diet and stress management would benefit patients.

Conclusions: This study, albeit of small sample size, demonstrates an overall positive attitude of inpatient PM&R attendings towards the use of LM practices in AIR. However, not all responses were supportive. Further research is necessary to evaluate the varying attitudes of LM principles and obstacles in their implementation in AIR. This study served as a pilot study, the IRB has been modified and the survey will be distributed on a national level.