Primary Certificate of Medical Nutrition and Chronic Disease

Study modes

100% online

Course fee

$445
Special rates available

Study duration

31.5 hrs
Self-paced

Dietary approaches for the management of chronic disease including Mediterranean, MIND, vegetarian, high protein, low GI

This course focuses on the role of nutrition and diet in the aetiology of major nutrition-related chronic diseases. Most chronic diseases are responsive to improved dietary choices. The dietary management of conditions including weight concern, coronary heart disease, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, cancer and chronic kidney disease are outlined. Recognised dietary options such as plant-based diets, Mediterranean diet, DASH diet, vegetarian and MIND diet are discussed in detail. The course concludes with the discussion of isolated food groups and macronutrients in managing chronic disease including low glycaemic index (GI) food, low fat and high protein diets.  

Are carbs the enemy? Understanding the nutritional needs of patients with diabetes

This course focuses on the key nutritional problems for patients with diabetes and discusses healthy eating, defines carbohydrates, examines the glycaemic index vs glycaemic load, and includes the nutrition priorities for people with diabetes. The goals of diabetes management includes healthy eating to positively influence glycaemic control, blood pressure, hyperlipidemia and overweight/obesity. A healthy diet, physical activity and in some cases, pharmacological intervention contribute to glycaemic control. Carbohydrates (CHOs) are mentioned before moving to explaining the glycaemic index (GI) and its role in diabetes management. Nutritional priorities are discussed including weight loss, healthy eating and individualised plans. Low carbohydrate diets are defined including their relationship with GI and managing diabetes. The benefits and disadvantages of a low CHO/ketogenic diet in relation to managing diabetes are discussed. A case study reinforces course content. 

Latest trends in cardiovascular nutrition

GPs play an important role in directing patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) to evidence-based nutrition advice and resources. This course discusses the evolution of evidence and heart health nutrition recommendations including the National Heart Foundation Eating for Heart Health Position Statement and other recent cardiovascular disease management and heart failure guidelines. Nutrient supplements are discussed together with cardiovascular nutrition controversies including food trends and omega-3, anti-inflammatory dietary components, and weight management. The second section discusses the key principles and evidence for the DASH and Mediterranean diets supported by evidence-based research. Guides are provided for the GP and the patient approach including patients with lower health literacy. 

Dr Jaimon Kelly
Senior Teaching Fellow

Senior Teaching Fellow, Bond University

Dr Jaimon Kelly is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian and Senior Teaching Fellow at Bond University. Jaimon works in private practice and consults primarily for chronic disease nutrition. He is also an early career researcher passionate about improving patient-centred care in chronic disease, is an advocate for patient-engagement in both the clinical and research setting, and has a strong interest in exploring new ways to deliver dietary education to improve people’s dietary self-management.

Dr Lauren Ball

Senior Research Fellow

Senior Research Fellow,
Griffith University

Early Career Fellow, NHMRC

Associate Editor, Australian Journal of Primary Health

Executive Committee Member, Australasian Association for Academics in Primary Care

Dr Lauren Ball’s vision is that all Australians are supported by a health care system that allows them to reach their full potential in life. This will be achieved by making nutrition a prominent part of the ongoing care they receive in general practice – the first point of contact with the health care system.

Lauren has worked with community members, health professionals, education providers and professional bodies to conduct research on how patients can be better supported in general practice to eat well. She implements interventions and programs so that general practitioners, nurses, dietitians, nutritionists, pharmacists and other health professionals feel confident in nutrition and have the skills to best meet patients' needs. She also works with Primary Health Networks to better understand how primary care services can be reoriented to put nutrition and other lifestyle behaviours at the forefront of the health care system.

Lauren has published over 100 peer-reviewed scientific articles and attracted over $1 million in research funding from government bodies, non-government organisations and philanthropic foundations. She is a Senior Research Fellow at Griffith University and an NHMRC Early Career Fellow. She is also an Associate Editor for the Australian Journal of Primary Health and Executive Committee Member of the Australasian Association for Academics in Primary Care.

Dr Hannah Mayr

Post-doctoral researcher

Post-doctoral researcher, Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH), Brisbane

Dr Hannah Mayr is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian who recently completed her PhD thesis at La Trobe University. Under the principal supervision of leading Mediterranean diet researcher, Prof Catherine Itsiopoulos, she investigated the effect of a Mediterranean versus low-fat diet on inflammation and adiposity in patients with coronary heart disease.

Hannah has published a number of reviews, methods and results-based papers within this work and received the ‘New Researcher Award’ at the 2018 Dietitians Association of Australia National Conference for her thesis work exploring a novel dietary assessment tool, the Dietary Inflammatory Index. Her research and practice interests are in dietary patterns and interventions, chronic disease and metabolic health.

Hannah currently works as a post-doctoral researcher at Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) in Brisbane and externally with La Trobe, which includes activities to enable implementation of the Mediterranean diet into routine care for chronic disease management. At PAH she leads a mentorship group focused on research capacity building for clinical dietitians. She also teaches into the Master of Nutrition and Dietetics at Bond University and she is passionate about engaging dietetics students in research activities.

Primary Certificate of Medical Nutrition & Chronic Disease

$445

100% online
CPD-accredited short course
Flexible start and completion time

ENROL NOW

HealthCert courses have become the standard by which you gauge all others.

Dr K. Abolarinwa

Good, courses with excellent speakers. I particularly enjoyed the case study scenarios which helped to integrate the knowledge gained.

Dr A. Tucker

This is the pathway to improve your confidence and evolve into the GP you aspire to be.

Dr S. Shinwari

RACGP Activity Number	ACRRM Activity Number	Activity Title	Education Hours	Performance Hours	Outcome Hours	Total Hours
482811	31258	Latest trends in cardiovascular nutrition	482811	31258	5	6	0	11
480507	31247	Chronic disease and diets: Med, MIND, vegetarian, high protein, low GI	480507	31247	4.5	6	0	10.5
482800	31257	Are carbs the enemy? Understanding nutritional needs for patients with diabetes	482800	31257	4	6	0	10
					Grand Total	31.5

Entry requirements

This course is for medical practitioners who wish to utilise nutrition as a key component of improving patient outcomes, especially focusing on dietary approaches for the management of chronic disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular health.

The course is suitable for general practitioners, medical doctors, degree-qualified nurses who work under their supervision, and International Medical Graduates. The course assumes no prior knowledge or training in the field.

Participants do not have to pass an IELTS test but, as the courses are delivered in English, proficiency in listening, reading and writing English is assumed.

Participants will require access to a computer/laptop, an internet connection and a basic level of technology proficiency to access and navigate the online learning portal.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

Professionally recognised qualifications and prior studies may be recognised for entry into this course if the learning outcomes match exactly. Please ask a HealthCert Education Advisor for an individual assessment of your prior qualifications and experience.

Certification

Upon successful completion of the course requirements, course participants will receive the Primary Certificate of Medical Nutrition & Chronic Disease.

This primary certificate:

Qualifies for CPD hours from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
Qualifies for CPD hours from the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
Meets World Federation of Medical Education standards.
Has been independently developed with subject experts and does not receive education grants from any pharmaceutical company.

To learn more about the delivery of certificates in Australia and overseas, please visit our FAQs.

Pathways

Fast-track your studies and receive financial credit into further courses

Complete the Primary Certificate as a standalone course or continue onto the HealthCert Professional Certificate of Clinical Nutrition.

Upon completion of this Primary Certificate, you will receive partial Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and cost savings towards the Professional Certificate course which is stage one of the two-part certificate program in Clinical Nutrition , quality-assured by Bond University.

The full program consists of the Professional Certificate and Advanced Certificate of Clinical Nutrition.

What are the costs and payment options of the course?

Fees will vary based on the program and study option selected (fully online vs online + optional practical workshop). Payments can be made upfront or in monthly instalments. Special rates and various payment options are available. GP registrars and doctors in training enjoy a scholarship of up to $500. Talk to us to learn more.

What is the Alumni Support Program?

Completion of any HealthCert course or attendance at an event will enable you to access the HealthCert Alumni Program which includes:

Access to special alumni rates for new courses when they are released.
Special alumni price for HealthCert Conferences.
Exclusive advanced access to HealthCert events.
Regular Alumni Webinars pertaining to the course(s) you have attended. These will provide content review of the course and an opportunity to discuss case studies.
Access to the video lectures as seen during the course(s) that you have attended.

How will I receive my certificate?

HealthCert Education is pleased to issue digital credentials for alumni. Digital credentials are a permanent online record of your successful completion of a HealthCert course and are issued to all course participants in addition to PDF certificates. If you are based in Australia, you also have the option to order a hard copy of your digital certificate for a small additional fee.

How long will the course take to complete?

The recommended study duration of this certificate course is 31.5 hours, which includes study of the pre-course activities and readings, online lectures, live tutorials, and online assessment. This self-paced course offers the flexibility of 100% online study in your own time, at your own pace, in your own home or office, with no mandatory face-to-face requirements. You are not required to be online at specific times but can view and replay video lectures at your convenience.

Is this course recognised in my country?

All HealthCert courses meet World Federation of Medical Education standards. This certificate course qualifies for CPD hours from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) in Australia. If you live or work outside Australia, please contact us on admin@healthcert.com to discuss whether this course can be recognised in your country.