MS4 Catalog

Nutrition and Medical Weight Management

LOCATION: J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, Physician Office Center
PRECEPTOR: Laura Davisson, MD, MPH, FACP
DURATION: 2 weeks
OFFERED: Continuously
MAXIMUM ENROLLMENT: 3
STATUS: Elective

OVERVIEW:
The prevalence of obesity has drastically increased in recent years, and is expected to continue to rise. While obesity is exceptionally common, little focus historically has been placed on obesity medicine during medical training, despite is being closely linked to multiple other common medical conditions including diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, joint disease, and hypertension. This is largely due to societal stigma related to obesity. The Medical Weight Management rotation is designed to increase awareness about obesity as a disease, and improve knowledge of the evidence based multi-faceted approach designed to treat and prevent obesity among medical students. The Medical Weight Management Clinic (MWM) involves a multidisciplinary team consisting of physicians, dietitians, nurse practitioners, and fellows that are all focused on preventing a treating obesity in West Virginia. While the Medical Weight Management Clinic (MWM) is separate from the Bariatric Surgery, and the Endoscopic Non-Surgical Weight Loss Program, these three groups work in close collaboration to provide patients with a full spectrum of obesity treatment options. Medical students will learn to aid individuals and families improve health, lose weight, and make permanent lifestyle changes. They will learn about the various medical, and surgical options used in the treatment of obesity. The foundation of the program is to promote evidence based nutrition, behavior, movement and medical considerations to facilitate longterm lifestyle changes

OBJECTIVES:

Patient Care:

This rotation involves direct patient care. Medical students will evaluate patients in the Medical Weight Management clinic, supervised by Board Certified Obesity Medicine physicians. Patients are seen and examined by the medical student and faculty, who formulates an assessment and plan. Some patients may be seen by the medical students at first then by the medical student and faculty. Students will need to demonstrate their ability take a weight focused history, and physical exam, and document their findings into EPIC. Medical students will also see patients with the Registered Dietitian where they will focus on motivational interviewing and SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time based) goals. Medical students may participate in group visits, and other outreach activities that occur during their rotation dates.

Medical Knowledge:

  1. Demonstrates knowledge of obesity epidemiology
  2. Demonstrates knowledge about obesity associated co­-morbidities
  3. Demonstrates knowledge of energy homeostasis and weight regulation
  4. Demonstrates knowledge about the various medication options used to treat obesity with their risks and benefits
  5. Demonstrates knowledge about the various surgical options used in the treatment of obesity along with indications, contra­ indications, risks, and benefits

Practice-Based Learning:

  1. Demonstrates knowledge about physical activity and nutrition interventions to develop personalized obesity care plan
  2. Demonstrates knowledge about the various medication options used to treat obesity with their risks and benefits. Identifies the best medication option for individuals based on their co-morbid conditions
  3. Uses shared decision making with the individual and their family to develop a comprehensive personalized obesity treat plan that reflects their values and preferences
  4. Assesses an individual's readiness to change in order to effectively counsel them for weight loss

Communication Skills:

  1. Uses empathetic and nonjudgmental language when communicating with people with obesity
  2. Communicates the lifestyle changes required to treat obesity in an effective easy to understand way
  3. Communicates with an interdisciplinary team to formulate effective treatment plans for patients

Professionalism:

  1. Works collaboratively and professionally with an interdisciplinary team to prevent and treat obesity 
  2. Deals with patients and their families in a professional manner

Systems-Based Practice: 

  1. Identifies common socioeconomic barriers to lifestyle changes required for obesity treatment in the West Virginian population, and formulates plans to alleviate these
  2. Understands the role of obesity in common chronic medical conditions including diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and sleep apnea
  3. Understands the complex nature of obesity including socioeconomic, genetic, and environmental factors

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:

  1. Students will participate in direct patient care supervised by obesity certified physicians
  2. Medical students will have 30 minute didactic sessions with clinical faculty. They are also encouraged to attend medical student lectures and didactic sessions
  3. Medical students may also participate in journal club, or care team meetings if these occur during their rotation
  4. Students are encouraged to self study with resource materials provided by their preceptors

EXAMINATION PROCEDURES AND EVALUATION CRITERIA:

Formative Assessment

Students will received ongoing feedback on their plans to treat obesity by clinical faculty

Summative Assessment
Students are encouraged to complete the ACP obesity module during their rotation

PRIOR TO THE FIRST DAY OF THE ROTATION:

Contact Dr. Davisson, ldavisson@hsc.wvu.edu at least 2 weeks prior to the rotation start date.