Skip to content
Search icon

Primary Certificate of Medical Nutrition and Chronic Disease

Learn the different dietary approaches for the management of chronic disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions.

Primary Certificate of Medical Nutrition and Chronic Disease

CPD

13.5 hrs Education 18 hrs Performance 0 hrs Outcome

Delivery

Fully online
Learn from
anywhere

Duration

31.5 hours
Self-paced
Start anytime

Overview

Delivered by leading experts in the field, this online course focuses on the role of nutrition and diet in the management and prevention of major nutrition-related disease states. 

Who it is for and what you will learn:

  • Gain an insight into the HealthCert certificate courses in Clinical Nutrition and get Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) if you choose to continue into the program.

  • This CPD-accredited course is for medical doctors, International Medical Graduates, registered nurses, and degree-qualified health professionals.

Your education pathway

Professional Certificate

Establish foundational clinical knowledge and essential skills.

Learn more

Advanced Certificate

Develop advanced techniques and diagnostic capabilities.

Learn more

Learning outcomes

  • Holistically manage patient health and improve outcomes.

  • Identify diet strategies for managing chronic conditions.

  • Debunk myths about carbohydrates in health management.

  • Support patients' cardiovascular health through diet.

  • Attract new patients by incorporating nutrition counselling into your practice.

Course contents

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

The "Dietary Approaches for the Management of Chronic Disease" course explores evidence-based dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean, MIND, vegetarian, high protein, and low glycemic index (GI) diets. This course teaches healthcare professionals how to integrate these approaches into patient care for managing chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. Participants will gain insights into the role of macronutrients, isolated food groups, and overall dietary patterns in preventing and managing chronic conditions.

Are carbs the enemy? Understanding the nutritional needs of patients with diabetes
"Are Carbs the Enemy? Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Patients with Diabetes" is an evidence-based course designed for healthcare professionals to navigate the complexities of diabetes management through nutrition. This course explores the role of carbohydrates, the glycemic index and load, and the impact of various dietary approaches, including low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets. Through practical insights and real-world applications, participants will learn to individualise dietary recommendations, promote glycemic control, and support sustainable, healthy lifestyle changes for patients.
Latest trends in cardiovascular nutrition
The "Latest Trends in Cardiovascular Nutrition" course equips healthcare professionals with the latest evidence-based strategies for improving heart health through nutrition. Participants will explore evolving research, current dietary recommendations, and best practices for managing cardiovascular disease (CVD) through diet. Topics include the Mediterranean and DASH diets, healthy fats, nutrient supplements, and food trends. With a focus on practical application, this course provides the knowledge needed to support patients in making sustainable dietary changes for optimal heart health.

Meet your instructors

Dr Jaimon Kelly Dr Jaimon Kelly Dr Jaimon Kelly

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 Dr Lauren Ball Dr Lauren Ball

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 Dr Hannah Mayr Dr Hannah Mayr

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.

Other ways to study this topic

Workshop

Complete your certificate online, then build practical skills in the accompanying optional hands-on workshop.

View workshop dates

Short courses

Study selected topics from this certificate as focused, standalone short courses for targeted upskilling in under 10 hours. 

Browse short courses

HealthCert 365

Access selected content from this certificate, plus 4,000+ hours of other CPD across a wide range of clinical areas.

Start free trial

CPD accreditation and course details

CPD Accreditation and Activities

Accredited CPD activities in this certificate

Each module in this certificate is an RACGP and ACRRM approved CPD activity.

RACGP Activity Number ACRRM Activity Number Activity Title Education Hours Performance Hours
480507 38576 Dietary approaches for the management of chronic disease including Mediterranean, MIND, vegetarian, high protein, low GI 4.5 6.0
482800 38577 Are carbs the enemy? Understanding the nutritional needs of patients with diabetes 4.0 6.0
482811 38578 Latest trends in cardiovascular nutrition 5.0 6.0
Total hours 13.5 18.0

View the CPD Hours for all HealthCert Education activities.

Outcome measurement

HealthCert Education provides a variety of Outcome Measurement activities to suit your needs. Please contact an Education Advisor for more information.

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 medical doctors, degree-qualified nurses, 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.

Recognised 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 and CPD hours.

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).

  • Is recognised by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP).

  • Is recognised by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP). The HKCFP recognises all courses endorsed by the RACGP. Hours are calculated differently.

  • Is a self-submitted activity in Dubai. The number of CPD hours must be stated on the certificate. Please contact PLD@dhcr.gov.ae for more information.

  • Is a self-submitted activity in the UK. CPD events overseas, applicable to a doctor’s scope of practice, may be submitted for revalidation. Please confirm with your Responsible Officer.

  • Is a self-submitted activity in Canada through the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Contact mainprocredits@cfpc.ca for more information.

  • 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.

University quality-assured and CPD-accredited education provider

This organisation is an RACGP-accredited CPD provider under the RACGP CPD Program.

RACGP logo
ACRRM logo
AMA
Bond-Sep-09-2026-05-46-43-7981-AM
Griffith
IDS-1
Graz
Vienna
University of South Wales
Torrens
NSCC-2
Rila
UQ logo

Frequently asked questions

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 listed at the top of this page. The estimated duration 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. It is recognised by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) in New Zealand. It is recognised by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP) in China. It is a self-submitted activity in Dubai and the United Kingdom. It is a self-submitted activity through the College of Family Physicians in Canada. If you live or work outside one of the above-mentioned countries, please contact us on admin@healthcert.com to discuss whether this course can be recognised in your country.

Cancellation policy: What happens if I can't attend a practical workshop?

Course/workshop cancellations and transfers policy

Should you be unable to attend a course or practical workshop you have registered for, please inform us asap at admin@healthcert.com so we can make your place available to waitlisted doctors.

Charges may apply for course/workshop cancellations and/or transfers. Click here for details.

What our alumni say

Join thousands of doctors who have advanced their clinical practice with our certificate courses.

Get in touch with us

Our Education Advisors can assist you with any queries and tailor your education pathway to suit your current expertise, interests and career goals.

Richard - 1

Richard Silsby

Campbel Elton

Campbell Elton

Loretta Blackborough-1

Loretta Blackborough

Adam De Barros__1

Adam De Barros

Jules Wynyard edit circle (1)

Jules Wynyard