Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice™(AFMCP)
Learn New Tools for Treating Common Conditions
Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice™ (AFMCP) integrates the latest medical research with a model of care that accounts for each patient’s individual history, unique genetic makeup, and environmental and lifestyle factors. Many chronic diseases occur when fundamental lifestyle factors like diet, movement, rest, and/or sleep are lacking or mismatch with a patient’s genetic makeup. AFMCP shows clinicians how to design effective, personalized treatments for every patient.A mutually empowering patient-practitioner relationship is a key element of the functional medicine model.
At AFMCP, expert educators provide case-based, interactive presentations using real-world situations to model the use of a suite of new clinical tools. These tools help clinicians make more personalized assessments, design appropriate treatments to address each patient’s unique combination of history, genetics, and lifestyle, and guide patients through the sometimes difficult process of making sustainable lifestyle changes that lead to better outcomes. Integrating the simple strategies of modifiable lifestyle factors in a healthcare plan can help patients feel more empowered to take charge of their own health, thereby increasing overall health and well-being.
+ Elimination Diet Challenge
Included in the Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice course is the opportunity to participate in an experiential, five-week Elimination Diet course with support from a certified health coach, a $400 value. This course increases your confidence in applying this critical tool into practice and provides a first-hand experience of the value that health coaches can bring to a care team.
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- The evidence base for the functional medicine paradigm, principles, and practice.
- How to design dietary, nutraceutical, and lifestyle interventions to improve patient engagement in treatment and their resulting outcomes.
- How to integrate assessment tools to evaluate and diagnose patients using a functional medicine approach.
- How to apply key elements of the functional medicine model in clinical practice.
- Effective strategies for establishing a mutually empowering partnership between clinician and patient.
ACCME Accreditation Statement: The Institute for Functional Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA Credit Designation Statement: The Institute for Functional Medicine designates this other activity (a semi-synchronous online cohort) for a maximum of 33.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Insights and Research Discussed at AFMCP
Who is AFMCP designed for?
IFM encourages a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. We welcome a variety of licensed healthcare disciplines to AFMCP, including MDs, DOs, NDs, DCs, physician assistants, nursing professionals, and nutrition professionals.
Can I take another course before taking AFMCP?
Many learners find taking AFMCP first helps them to understand IFM’s proprietary tools, such as the Functional Medicine Matrix, and provides context for the skills, processes, and science behind incorporating Functional Medicine principles into practice. The course is offered multiple times each year in order to meet the needs of clinicians wishing to begin their IFM education with AFMCP. However, AFMCP is not a prerequisite to take any IFM course if you are comfortable with the material to be presented.
Will I be certified as a Functional Medicine practitioner after attending AFMCP?
No. AFMCP is one of seven required courses in the IFM Certification Program. In addition to AFMCP, you must complete the six Advanced Practice Modules as required coursework for the IFM Certification Program.
Will I be listed on the Find A Practitioner search after I attend AFMCP?
After attending AFMCP, you will be eligible to list your profile in our Find A Practitioner search as long as you are also enrolled in the IFM Membership Program. Before your profile is listed, however, you must fill in your practice information within your account profile to activate your profile to appear in the search.

Improving Access to Care
Clinical approaches for advancing health outcomes in underserved communities.

Preventing T1 Diabetes
Early life exposures and environmental factors may influence type 1 diabetes risk.

A Case Study on Allergies
Decreasing the body’s overall inflammatory burden may ease allergy symptoms.

Alternatives to Opioids
Dietary approaches that target the mitochondria may help alleviate pain symptoms.

Micronutrient Deficiency
Vitamin and nutrient shortfalls can negatively impact physical and mental health.

Human Health & Nutrition
Plant-based diets are shown to reduce inflammation and improve overall cognition.

Learn About Our AFMCP Educators

Functional Medicine for All Scholarship
IFM is committed to ensuring access to functional medicine for all, and that begins with providing more opportunities for our practitioners and clinicians. Learn more about the Functional Medicine for All Scholarship & sign up to be notified about additional opportunities >
That this approach will change how we approach patient care forever. We are able intervene and work with the patient to move their entire self, body and mind, towards wellness and longevity, with the goal of continuously encouraging the body to work the way it was built to.

AFMCP Online Attendee
This course was AMAZING! I am glad I had the opportunity to learn and get in touch with all of that, through those amazing presenters. It was an incredible learning opportunity for me, which will certainly change my medical practice. Now I am able to understand the linking gap that I was searching for, a gap that my traditional medical training could not fulfill by itself.

AFMCP Online Attendee
The AFMCP program has introduced me to wonderful practitioners who have a genuine interest in growing and learning to serve their patients more fully by better relating to their experiences. I am honored to partner with my clients on their health journeys!

AFMCP Elimination Diet Participant
So thankful for these courses and the inspiration they provide to renew my passion for practicing the art and science of medicine

AFMCP Online Attendee
The health coach helped me come up with creative ways to make the elimination diet fit my lifestyle and preferences.

AFMCP Elimination Diet Participant
Well organized program with expert clinicians presenting materials to transform your practice.

AFMCP Online Attendee
IFM has changed the way I think about the starting point for a patient. This is was what I had been searching for as a guiding point and advancement in my education.

AFMCP Online Attendee

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