Identifying priority topics for interprofessional education on lifestyle interventions in mental healthcare: a modified Delphi study

People living with severe mental illness (SMI) experience significant physical health disparities, including higher rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity, resulting in reduced life expectancy compared to the general population. Lifestyle interventions that include physical activity, dietary changes, and behaviour modification, are essential in addressing these health inequities. Mental health service providers play a critical role in facilitating and promoting lifestyle management as part of comprehensive care for individuals living with SMI, yet interprofessional education and training is required to overcome current knowledge and training gaps. This study aimed to achieve expert consensus on interprofessional education topics related to lifestyle-based interventions, behaviour change science, and holistic program implementation in mental healthcare. Using a three-round modified Delphi method, experts from diverse professional and lived-experience perspectives (n = 18) identified and prioritised essential educational topics pertaining to lifestyle medicine components including assessments, interventions, medication optimisation, behaviour-change strategies, clinician-perceived barriers, and key research priorities. Findings provide an evidence-informed and expert-validated foundation for developing interprofessional education resources to enhance the capacity of mental health service providers to implement effective lifestyle interventions. Continued refinement and evaluation will help ensure this work contributes to lasting improvements in the mental and physical health of people living with SMI.