Topic: Obesity, Physical Activity
Target Population: Adults, Clinicians, Policymakers, Providers
Sector: Medical Setting
This program is delivered to physicians and health care providers, health and fitness professionals, and the public and is intended to impact adults.
Exercise is Medicine® (EIM), a medical-based program, intends to raise awareness about the importance of physical activity (PA) in disease prevention and treatment. The program is designed to encourage health care providers to evaluate patients' PA levels during every visit, develop exercise prescriptions, and refer patients to certified fitness professionals.
Results from one quasi-experimental study that compared participants in EIM with those who participated in EIM plus community PA programming (i.e., EIM+) found that the EIM+ group had significantly greater increases in self-reported moderate, vigorous, and total PA; fewer disability days; and a net decrease in the number of bad physical health days at a 3-month follow-up compared to the EIM group. This study suggests positive effects of the EIM program, when combined with partnerships with local health care systems/medical practices and community fitness resources. However, caution is warranted interpreting these findings since this study was not randomized and no control group was included.
The EIM program was developed by the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Association and is designed to achieve these goals:
An Exercise is Medicine Credential is available for health and fitness professionals. This credential notifies health care providers that a health or fitness professional is qualified to develop an appropriate exercise plan for patients. Please see information in the Training section regarding obtaining credentials.
EIM was created in 2007 by the American College of Sports Medicine, in partnership with the American Medical Association. The program is currently being implemented in about 40 countries worldwide.
No training is required for health care providers; although, EIM has created a summary sheet and an action guide for health care providers to help them make suitable exercise recommendations for their patients. An EIM Credential is available for health and fitness professionals. Participants must possess at least a B.S./B.A. in exercise science, exercise physiology, or kinesiology, and complete an online course and pass online exams. Please visit https://www.exerciseismedicine.org/eim-in-action/exercise-professionals/exercise-is-medicine-credential/ to learn more.
Considerations for implementing this program include acquiring buy-in from health care providers, heath and fitness professionals, and patients; finding time to incorporate recommended levels of PA into daily routines; and understanding that to effectively counsel patients about exercise, healthcare providers should review the EIM resources and may want to consider getting the EIM credential.
The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
If you are interested in implementing EIM, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
Implementation time varies.
Joining EIM is free for health care providers. Materials, such as action guides, supplemental information, and additional resources for health care providers, health and fitness professionals, colleges and universities, and the public, are free on the EIM website.
To move EIM to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one evaluation should be performed demonstrating positive effects lasting at least one year from the beginning of the program or at least six months from program completion.
The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu
You may also contact United States Exercise is Medicine by mail 6510 Telecom Dr., Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46278, phone 1-317-637-9200, or visit https://www.exerciseismedicine.org/eim_map/contact/?country=United%20States
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