M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O., MICGP, D.M.E., D.C.H., D.Obs, Dip Clin Education, DipBSLM/IBLM

Niamh is a GP based in Co Westmeath. She is a graduate of the National University of Ireland Galway. She completed vocational training in General Practice in 2011 and has been working as a GP since then.

She is interested in medical education and all aspects of General Practice in particular chronic disease management. She has undertaken a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Education and works as Assistant Programme Director for GP Training at the RCSI GP Training Scheme in Dublin.. She has certified in Lifestyle Medicine.

Why Lifestyle Medicine?

She first became interested in Lifestyle Medicine when she set up a Diabetes Clinic in GP practice and reflected that with the growth of the wellness industry sometimes patients seeking to make lifestyle changes for health reasons are turning to non evidence based sources of advice. Patients may not be aware of the supports available in community settings or where to access the most current evidence based lifestyle risk factor modifcation information.

There are complex socio economic determinants of health which mean that much of people’s lifestyles are not choices they make. However we do know that small changes can be powerful in terms of health improvement. As Healthcare professionals we can support and empower patients to try and make those positive changes. For example, every MET gain in aerobic capacity is associated with approximately a 12% reduction in all-cause mortality.

Inspired by the collaborative learning experienced via the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine Niamh was motivated to seek to set up the Irish Society of Lifestyle Medicine to bring colleagues together to learn, collaborate, educate and advocate to help improve patient outcomes via evidence based lifestyle interventions.