Implementing Lifestyle Interventions for Adults With Mental Illness via Telemedicine

Individuals with psychiatric illnesses have shorter life expectancies due to increased obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Modifiable factors such as diet, exercise, and weight control are essential but often underutilized in clinical practice. This quality improvement project evaluated a 9-week, evidence-based lifestyle education program aimed at enhancing self-care and health outcomes among adults with psychiatric illness at risk of cardiometabolic conditions in a telemental primary care setting. A pretest–posttest design assessed self-care inventory scores, health indicators, and program feasibility. Results showed improvements in weight, body mass index, and self-care confidence, emphasizing the critical role of nurse practitioners in telemedicine.