The better health club: A model for global, interdisciplinary learning in lifestyle medicine

Abstract

Contemporary students increasingly benefit from non‐hierarchical education, including peer‐led work, which moves beyond more ridged traditional educational structures. Such approaches encourage engagement, two‐way communication, diversity of thought and collaboration. This piece shares the stories and experiences of students with a shared interest in health promotion and lifestyle medicine who took part in a peer‐led, internationally based online student group. The forum aimed to provide a space for students to explore and discuss diverse topics within the health sphere in an attempt to bridge the gap between areas of expertise and education. The group capitalised on the normalisation of remote video meetings following the COVID‐19 pandemic to bring together a small group of diverse students from across the globe on a weekly basis for journal clubs, presentations, debates and guest lectures. Group member feedback was obtained and highlighted key gaps in much traditional education, which the group addressed. These included moving beyond educational and research silos, the importance of preventative health approaches and the need for more judgement‐free and inclusive learning environments. Alignment with the current health landscape and potential for scaling the group format more widely is discussed. The article concludes by emphasising the advantages of this approach in fostering a network of learners prepared to tackle future health challenges.