A Physicians Approach to Shared Decision Making (SDM) With Bariatric Patients_Online

Over the past decade, obesity has become recognized as a national health threat.  More than one third of Americans are obese and are at increased risk for many serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, stroke and premature death.  Caring for the obese patient presents unique challenges for caregivers.  This seminar will provide health care practitioners with a shared decision-making tool that will be embedded in Epicare to help patients decide which obesity treatment will be optimal for them.

Target Audience

Healthcare professionals who provide care to the obese population to include primary care physicians, internal medicine physicians, family practitioners, obesity medicine physicians, bariatric surgeons and advanced practice providers in these specialties.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the participants should be able to:

  • Outline and evaluate obesity treatment options including bariatric surgery options
  • Define the comorbidities related to obesity and how they may relate to the treatment options.
  • Identify the obstacles practitioners and bariatric patients confront obesity diagnosis and treatment.
  • Identify means of the Shared Decision Making for medical and surgical options with bariatric patients using the steps of SDM.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AAPA Category I CME
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 1.00 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 1.00 Attendance
Course opens: 
01/04/2023
Course expires: 
01/04/2026
Online Activity

Course Director:
Anita P. Courcoulas, MD, MPH, FACS
Chief, Division of Minimally Invasive Bariatric and General Surgery
Anthony M. Harrison, MD Chair in Surgery
Professor of Surgery
Co-Director, Fellowship Program, University of Pittsburgh

Planning Committee:   
Kathleen McTigue, MD, MPH, MS
Associate Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology, Clinical/Translational Science, University of Pittsburgh
Director, Clinical Scientist Track, Internal Medicine Residency, Center for Research on Health Care, University of Pittsburgh 

Vicki Conti, MHA, MBA, PA-C
Bariatric Program Coordinator, Minimally Invasive Bariatric and General Surgery
UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA

Emily Klawson
Research Project Manager
Clinical Research Coordinator
UPMC
Pittsburgh, PA

William Gourash, PhD, CRNP
Senior Research Coordinator and Nurse Practitioner
Minimally Invasive Bariatric and General Surgery
UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital
Pittsburgh, PA

Course Faculty:  
Anita P. Courcoulas, MD, MPH, FACS
Chief, Division of Minimally Invasive Bariatric and General Surgery
Anthony M. Harrison, MD Chair in Surgery
Professor of Surgery
Co-Director, Fellowship Program, University of Pittsburgh

Kathleen McTigue, MD, MPH, MS
Associate Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology, Clinical/Translational Science, University of Pittsburgh
Director, Clinical Scientist Track, Internal Medicine Residency, Center for Research on Health Care, University of Pittsburgh

Faculty Disclosure:
All individuals in a position to control the content of this education activity have disclosed all financial relationships with any companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. 

All of the relevant financial relationships for the individuals listed below have been mitigated:

Dr. McTigue receives Grant/Research Support from Pfizer and Janssen.

No other members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships with any companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physician (CME)
The University of Pittsburgh designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nursing (CNE)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 1.0 contact hour.

Physician Assistant (AAPA)
The University of Pittsburgh has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.0 AAPA Category 1 CME credit. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.  

Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AAPA Category I CME
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 1.00 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 1.00 Attendance
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