THE INDIAN SOCIETY OF LIFESTYLE MEDICINE – CODE OF ETHICS
The Indian Society of Lifestyle Medicine (ISLM) is the professional body for medical doctors (Physicians) and Affiliates who are certified as Lifestyle Medical Physicians & Professionals by the International board of Lifestyle Medicine IBLM and incorporate Lifestyle medicine in their clinical practice. Its members include doctors & affiliates from across the entire spectrum of modern medicine, for e.g General Practitioners, Specialists and Super-Specialists and Affiliates like Nutritionists, Physiotherapists and Clinical Psychologists,etc. The Allopathic doctors and Affiliate members certified by IBLM will be referred to as Lifestyle Medicine Physicians or Professionals as the case may be.
The Indian Society of Lifestyle Medicine is constituted as an independent, evidence-informed, non-profit organization dedicated to fulfilling our fundamental objectives as laid out in our mission statement.
We advocate for optimal lifestyle and socio-environmental health determinants and provide education, training and support for members in their practice of Lifestyle Medicine.
We promote evidence-informed ‘Lifestyle’ management as the primary step in the prevention and treatment of lifestyle related diseases.
Lifestyle management or Lifestyle optimization would include, but is not limited to, recommendations in the following domains :-
a. Exposure to toxins / Pollutants
b. Physical activity / Exercise
c. Exposure to sunlight
d. Food, nutrition and hydration
e. Sleep and rest
f. Stress management
g. Social connectedness
h. Environmental hygiene and sustainability
Indian Society of Lifestyle Medicine endorses only allopathic system of medicine.
Principles for the Ethical Conduct of Health Professionals engaged/members at Indian Society of Lifestyle Medicine
- Evidence based practice
Lifestyle medicine (LM) physicians associated with ISLM will provide information, interventions and other services to their patients based on scientific evidence.
- Privacy and Confidentiality
LM physicians associated with ISLM will maintain strict privacy and confidentiality of information shared with them by their patients and other members of ISLM.
In reference to same, before sharing patient information on any platform of ISLM, a consent needs to be obtained from the patient. Any critical information shared on any platform of ISLM cannot be shared with other non-members or groups.
- Maintain Competencies using principles of LM
LM physicians associated with ISLM will undergo periodic training to maintain professional competence of the highest level in their areas of practice.
- Collaborative Activities
a. Physicians/Professionals who are IBLM diplomates and are current members of ISLM may collaborate with ISLM to offer/organize training modules/workshops/events. The training modules/workshop should be evidence based and based on principles of lifestyle medicine and strictly follow allopathic system of medicine.
b. ISLM logos may be used for promotion of the event only on specific entities after getting requisite formal approvals from the office bearers (Executive Committee-Ex Co). ISLM logos may be used in such events in terms of collaborative activities only if the content is approved by the concerned Executive Committee. The degree of approval would depend on the details approved for collaboration.
c. Financial implications/sharing if any should be discussed with the Ex Co at the time of getting approval. All communications with the Ex Co can be done via email. Any collaborative activities should be in line with principles of Lifestyle Medicine and not against the core competencies and based on evidence-based medicine only.
d. Any non-member requests for collaborative activities may also be considered depending on the principles of Lifestyle Medicine.
- Non-discrimination
Physicians associated with ISLM will not discriminate against individuals or groups because of race, region, religion, sexual orientation, beliefs or other reasons.
- Acting as Role Models
LM physicians associated with ISLM will strive to exhibit positive attitude, health behaviour and follow to the best possible manner all pillars of lifestyle medicine to act as role models to their peers and communities.
- Communication on internal messaging, social media or other platforms
a. Members of ISLM will communicate matters of importance with the Ex Co via email whenever concerned regarding the ISLM.
b. Communication on internal messaging will be on topics related to lifestyle medicine only and not for any kind of promotional/personal activities. Any kind of promotional activities/personal activities/events shouldn’t be posted/promoted in the official groups or on any platforms of ISLM and may be removed as deemed fit. For any kind of promotion/sharing of information within the Indian Society of Lifestyle Medicine, please get in touch with the members of Executive Committee.
c. Members are requested to refrain from using harsh words, unparliamentary language during communication on social media/internal messaging/other platforms. Any kind of personal attacks on any member will be dealt strictly by the ethical committee and might amount to suspension of the membership of the concerned member.