Today is the day to improve tomorrow’s health. The first step involves talking with your physician.

1. Schedule your annual wellness visit with your health care provider or make plans to discuss physical activity at your next appointment. Participation in Exercise is Medicine requires a physician referral, so this first step is mandatory.
   

   About Referral Process:
   Any physician can refer a patient to EIM.
   Physicians who are affiliated with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center should complete a patient referral through Integrated Healthcare Information System (IHIS).
   All other physicians can find referral instructions here.
   
   

2. If you don’t have a regular doctor, you can visit our Find a Doctor web page to review credentials.
   
   
3. Ask for and expect your doctor to provide guidance on how you can meet the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, which are currently 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, plus muscle-strengthening activities that involve all major muscle groups performed on two or more days per week.

If you have questions, please contact:

Kelly Urse
614-685-2221
exerciseismedicine@osumc.edu

Participants in Ohio State’s Exercise is Medicine program may receive:

• An exercise routine tailored to your specific health and wellness starting point.
• Home exercise programs and guidance on next steps
• Group exercise class recommendations
• Health and fitness education and behavior modification strategies, including goal setting and personal accountability
• Continual coaching, motivation and feedback that is also shared with your referring physician
• A social and supportive environment to improve the chances of positive outcomes
• If desired while in the program, full use of the Ohio State Health and Fitness Center
• Participants are also eligible for discounted membership to other local partner fitness centers
• Each location will include a range of fitness equipment, supervised small group exercise sessions, lectures, nutrition education and movement based activities
• After completion of EIM, continued use of Ohio State’s Health and Fitness Center or discounts at other fitness facilities in the community
• Access to our Sports Medicine specialty programs when you’re ready to exceed the minimum recommendations or want to improve performance, comfort and safety

This one-hour appointment includes:

• Detailed discussion of your current physical activity and medical history
• Wellness coaching to assess and understand both individual barriers and strengths, as well as motivation and readiness for change.
• Collection of all registration materials, surveys and biometrics
• A tour of the facility

During this one-hour, one-on-one session:

• You will review the details of your custom exercise prescription, which will be designed using the information collected at your first session.
• Exercise prescriptions will include cardiovascular, strength training and flexibility components suitable for your unique situation.
• You should leave with a basic understanding of how to perform each of the prescribed exercises and why they are appropriate for you specifically.

These one-hour group exercise sessions are held twice a week for eight weeks after you’ve mastered each of the prescribed exercises that were shared with you in the second session.

• These group sessions or use of workout partners give you both a sense of community and a source of added support.
• Group sessions may have up to eight EIM participants, each with an individual exercise plan to work through at their own pace.
• An EIM specialist will supervise all participants to ensure safety and modify existing exercise plans as needed.
• As your individual fitness or confidence levels improve, we will help you safely increase the complexity or intensity of your physical activity.
• Each EIM specialist has the flexibility to conduct group exercises when appropriate, utilize outdoor space for group walks, or place participants into groups with similar interests, health conditions or fitness levels.

With a new routine established, it’s time to assess the progress you’ve made over the previous eight weeks and develop a strategy for continued success. During this one-hour session, your EIM specialist will:

• Create an updated exercise prescription, accounting for improvements already realized.
• Modify plans based on your goals and resources. This may lead to a home exercise plan or workouts at the Health and Fitness Center in New Albany or another Ohio State or partner fitness facility.
• Develop a wellness plan for the next six months, taking into account your accomplishments and challenges setbacks over the past two months.
• Collect all surveys and biometrics to support program evaluation.

Prior to participation in Exercise is Medicine (EIM), patients must receive medical clearance for independent exercise from a physician, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant in any medical specialty. We do not require prior affiliation with or treatment at Ohio State.

• As part of this clearance, please screen your patient for any symptoms or signs of coronary artery disease (CAD) or congestive heart failure (CHF). Prior to your referral, and if clinically indicated, please consider further workup as well, such as a cardiac stress test.
• Patients with the following conditions are NOT appropriate for the Exercise is Medicine program: ­
  • Symptoms suggestive of CAD/CHF (i.e., chest pain, dizziness, syncope, excessive dyspnea on exertion) ­
  • Myocardial infarction, revascularization or stroke/TIA within the past 12 months ­
  • Unstable angina ­
  • Congestive heart failure (NYHA Class II, III or IV) ­
  • Ventricular arrhythmia ­
  • Clinically significant cardiac valve disease ­
  • Uncontrolled hypertension (>160/100) ­
  • Uncontrolled seizure disorder ­
  • Major surgery within the past three months ­
  • Severe or frequent hypoglycemia ­
  • Inability to independently manage blood glucose during activity ­
  • Severe autonomic or peripheral neuropathy ­
  • Active foot ulcers or unstable retinopathy

Referral Process:

Any physician can refer a patient to EIM.

Physicians who are affiliated with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center should complete a patient referral through Integrated Healthcare Information System (IHIS).

All other physicians can find referral instructions here.