Education
Obesity medicine is not recognised as a speciality in its own right at present, but draws together healthcare professionals from a very wide range of disciplines. Therefore, the training and educational needs of this group are varied as well.
Training courses
Formal training in obesity is available from the following sources:
- National Obesity Forum: One-day obesity course for GPs. The first course in this new series is on 13 August 2009 in Alfreton, Derbyshire, UK, costing about £170 incl VAT, refreshments, lunch. Download the brochure and booking forms from the NOF site (pdf).
- Robert Gordon University: Centre for Obesity Research & Epidemiology (CORE) MSc in Obesity Science & Management (full or part time, distance learning, modular, starting September 2009)
- University of Chester: MSc in Weight Management (full or part time, distance learning)
- University of Reading Certificate in Obesity Management (6 full days from Sep '09 to Jan '10)
- Sheffield University: Northern General Hospital. Obesity management: helping adults and children with change. ( 1 study day)
- New courses are being planned at Sunderland and Glasgow, and training programmes elsewhere. More information will be posted as soon as available.
The Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO) is affiliated to the European and International Associations for the Study of Obesity. The ASO provides information about training programmes, particularly the widely respected anual training meeting, "Obesity and its management", held at Liverpool in June, which is suitable for most clinical staff.
Dietitians wishing to train in obesity management can get advice from Dietitians in Obesity Management UK (DOM UK), which is a specialist group of the British Dietetic Association (BDA).
A course for nurses specialising in bariatric surgery is conducted at St James's Hospital in Leeds.
Accreditation
The International Association for the Study of Obesity (IASO) and the European association developed S.C.O.P.E., the Specialist Certification of Obesity Professional Education. This recognises experts in obesity management and provides educational events as well as online courses.
Online education
Obesity Online is an educational website provided by The Obesity Society. It contains a slide library, continuing education activities and commentary on research.
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