With scientists and doctors unanimously agreeing that regular walking reduces the risk of up to 40 different chronic diseases, Centro Polyclinic introduces a new initiative for its patients – personalized step prescriptions. These prescriptions will be given by family doctors to those dealing with cardiovascular diseases, overweight, low physical activity, poor emotional health, and other health issues.
Step Pharmacy – On Your Phone
4,000, 8,000, or 10,000 steps per day – these are the three prescriptions that family doctors and lifestyle medicine specialists at Centro Polyclinic will now issue to patients. Instead of heading to a pharmacy, patients will be directed to the "Walk15" app on their phones, where they will find a personalized step program created by a doctor or lifestyle medicine specialist. Patients will actively "collect" steps for three months following the recommended activity levels.
"Centro Polyclinic places a strong emphasis on physical activity – we actively participate in mass walking events and dedicated the entire month of June to a Charity Steps Challenge, during which we converted the 29 million steps walked by our employees into money to support the organization 'Save the Children'. Convinced of the comprehensive benefits of movement, we want our patients to discover the joy of being active, improving their health and mood by walking more. That’s why we joined the 'Step Prescription' initiative and believe that together with the 'Walk15' team, we will contribute to greater activity and better well-being for our patients," says Laima Skrickienė, Director of the largest polyclinic in the capital.
The Creator's Insight
Vlada Musvydaitė-Vilčiauskė, the creator and head of the sustainable mobility platform "Walk15," notes that until now, prescriptions were usually given to cure illnesses, but the goal of 'Step Prescriptions' is to prevent them.
"Every patient’s ability to move is different, so prescriptions will be issued by doctors only after carefully assessing the individual’s previous activity levels, age, physical condition, and medical history. This project aims to educate people of all ages and habits about the importance of movement, using the universally accessible and suitable form of activity – walking. I am very pleased that Centro Polyclinic, which is rapidly advancing in innovation, cares for its patients and understands the importance of being active, thus joining this initiative," says V. Musvydaitė-Vilčiauskė.
Monitoring Real Patient Activity
When issuing a step prescription, the family doctor or lifestyle medicine specialist will also conduct a body composition analysis using an advanced analyzer. After three months, the test will be repeated to evaluate the impact of the personalized activity program on the patient.
According to Diana Jačiauskienė, a family doctor at Centro Polyclinic, the personalized step prescription is indeed a very convenient and fun way to achieve better well-being.
"We constantly encourage our patients to move more, so a personal step prescription will be an excellent way to check how this encouragement works. From my experience, patients tend to follow doctor's recommendations, and when they see their progress and receive doctor’s support, I believe they will develop a long-term habit of increased activity, which will be a great prevention of diseases and poor mood," says Dr. D. Jačiauskienė.
Regular Activity Tips for the Patient
Patients committed to the personalized step prescription program will receive virtual wellness tips prepared by Professor of Movement, Sports, and Health Sciences, Albertas Skurvydas.
"For a healthy person, the gold standard is 10,000 steps per day, at least 3-5 times a week. Out of these 10,000 steps, about 3,000 should be walked at a faster pace, raising the heart rate to 120-140 beats per minute," says the professor.
If technical issues or difficulties arise in using the prescription, the "Walk15" app’s customer service team will promptly assist patients every day.
Valuing Innovations
In the initial phase, two family doctors and three lifestyle medicine specialists will issue step prescriptions at Centro Polyclinic. In the fall, three more doctors and one lifestyle medicine specialist will join the 'Step Prescriptions' initiative.
"All innovations and new developments that contribute to improving human health and bringing positive changes in lifestyle are highly valued and eagerly adopted in our polyclinic. I am pleased that, along with my colleagues, lifestyle medicine specialists, and family doctors, we will have the opportunity to participate in the 'Step Prescription' initiative, and I believe that patients will also be keen to join, thereby encouraging their relatives to live more actively as well," says Erika Jakutaitė, a lifestyle medicine specialist at Centro Polyclinic.
Various studies show that regular activity has benefits sometimes comparable to medical treatment. Walking can help prevent cardiovascular diseases, combat type 2 diabetes, asthma, and other diseases. It is also one of the best ways to improve emotional health, reduce stress, anxiety, and the risk of burnout.
Earlier, the pilot project of personalized step prescriptions was successfully launched by Šeškinė Polyclinic. The first patients at this polyclinic are already completing their initial activity program.