COURSE OVERVIEW

The Professional Certificate of Medical Nutrition Management teaches the role of therapeutic diets in the treatment of chronic illnesses and other nutritional disorders, highlighting the principles of the nutrition care process as applicable in a primary care setting. You will learn key nutrition assessment techniques and intervention strategies that will assist you in providing comprehensive health care to your patients. The course teaches the foundations of dietary guidelines and how they can be applied in general practice to better manage chronic diseases, malnutrition, weight loss, and other conditions.

This course is the first part of the three-part Professional Diploma of Medical Nutrition Management. The education pathway is Professional Certificate of Medical Nutrition Management, Advanced Certificate of Medical Nutrition Management and Professional Diploma of Medical Nutrition Management. 

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GAIN A SNEAK PEEK INTO THE COURSE

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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND COURSE REQUISITES

The Professional Certificate of Medical Nutrition Management is tailored for medical practitioners who wish to gain a better understanding of nutrition management in order to improve patient outcomes, especially for those patients with conditions commonly seen in general practice, such as obesity, diabetes, pregnancy, cardiovascular disease, cancer and eating disorders. 

The course is suitable for 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.

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.

COURSE CONTENTS

  • How dietary guidelines can be used to guide treatment
  • Approaches for the management of chronic disease: Mediterranean, MIND, vegetarian, high protein, low GI
  • Myths and fads: keto, paleo, intermittent fasting, 'I quit sugar'
  • Organics, coconut oil, superfoods
  • Vitamins, minerals and supplements
  • Gastrointestinal health
  • Malnutrition in older adults
  • Talking with patients about weight management
  • Bariatric care

Course participants will:

  • Have the opportunity to replay video lectures from medical experts.
  • Participate in discussion of patient cases, evaluate and make decisions.
  • All presentation slides available for download.
  • Participate in course webinar prior to the examinations and ask questions.
  • Receive unlimited and ongoing access to free alumni learning resources, video lectures, and discussion forums, as well as invite-only events and special offers after completion of the course.
  • Receive ongoing support post-course through webinars and case review.
  • Have the opportunity to participate in optional clinical attachments at dedicated nutrition clinics.

COURSE OUTLINE

Module 1: How dietary guidelines can be used to guide treatment

Module 2: Approaches for the management of chronic disease: Mediterranean, MIND, vegetarian, high protein, low GI

Module 3: Organics, coconut oil, superfoods, myths and fads: keto, paleo, intermittent fasting, 'I quit sugar'

Module 4: Vitamins, minerals and supplements

Module 5: Gastrointestinal health

Module 6: Malnutrition in older adults

Module 7: Talking with patients about weight management

Module 8: Bariatric care

Module 5: Gastrointestinal health

Module 6: Malnutrition in older adults

Module 7: Talking with patients about weight management

Module 8: Bariatric care

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COURSE

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IMPORTANT DATES

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COURSE FEES AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

UPFRONT PAYMENT

Single course

$1,795

Two-Course Bundle*

$3,410

Three-Course Bundle*

$4,840
*Special rates for upfront registrations for multiple courses within the same pathway.
DEFERRED PAYMENT

Single course 

$640 x 3 

Two-Course Bundle

$605 x 6

Three-Course Bundle

$645 x 8 
 Defer your payments over several months.

LEARN MORE ABOUT AVAILABLE PAYMENT OPTIONS

GP REGISTRARS: Doctors in training receive a HealthCert Scholarship and save up to $350 on online certificate courses and up to $500 on certificate courses that include a practical workshop. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with the Early Bird special.

Meet Your Instructors

Your instructors are noted specialists in Medical Nutrition Management.
Dr Zoe Apalla

Prof Liz Isenring

Program Head, Master of Nutrition and Dietetic Practice, Bond University

Associate Dean of Research, Bond University

Professor Liz Isenring is an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian passionate about improving the quality of life of patients and their carers via evidence-based nutrition. Liz is Head of Program for the Master of Nutrition and Dietetic Practice, and the Associate Dean of Research for the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine at Bond University. She is recognised internationally as an expert in nutrition during treatment for cancer and for older adults. Liz has held several leadership positions including in AuSPEN, Dietitian Connection and MASCC, has published over 130 peer-reviewed papers and received more than $3 million AUS in research funding.

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Dr Heidi Staudacher

Dietitian & Postdoctoral Researcher, Food and Mood Centre, Deakin University

Dr Heidi Staudacher is a dietitian and postdoctoral researcher at the Food and Mood Centre at Deakin University. Her chief research interests include the pathophysiology and dietary management of functional gastrointestinal and mental health disorders, and the interaction of diet with the microbiome in these disorders.

Heidi was a NIHR Clinical Doctoral Fellow at King’s College London between 2012-2016 and during her PhD conducted a large randomised controlled trial investigating the effect of a low FODMAP diet with probiotic co-administration on the gastrointestinal microbiota, symptoms, dietary intake and quality of life. She has published several key papers in the field of dietary management of irritable bowel syndrome.
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Dr Ingrid Hickman

Principal Research Fellow, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Princess Alexandra Hospital and Mater Research Institute-UQ

Dr Ingrid Hickman is a Principal Research Fellow with the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and the Mater Research Institute-UQ in Brisbane, Australia. Ingrid’s work specialises in investigating the metabolic factors that contribute to obesity-related chronic disease, particularly the role of diet and exercise as potential treatment options for chronic liver disease.

Ingrid collaborates nationally and internationally with multidisciplinary teams to deliver scientifically robust evidence for better management of obesity-related disease. The focus of her research team is to translate medical research findings into improved evidence-based practice for clinicians treating people with obesity-related chronic disease.

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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.
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Dr Kate Morgan

Academic, Bond University

Dr Kate Morgan has been an academic with Bond University since 2012. Her teaching with dietetics students has focused on food science and nutrition, and its application across dietetic practice. This has involved leading future dietitians on culinary investigations in the food lab as well as informative paddock-to-plate expeditions outside the university.

Kate recently completed her PhD in dietetics education, taking a national approach to exploring key stakeholders’ perspectives on dietetics workforce preparation and preparedness. Through her PhD, Kate authored six peer-reviewed publications and presented the findings of her research at conferences both nationally and internationally.

Prior to academia, Kate was a dietitian in the corporate sector. This involved working with multinational companies to enhance the nutritional profile of their products while maintaining palatability, meeting business needs and effectively communicating credible nutrition information to consumers.

Kate has been an Accredited Practising Dietitian and member of the Dietitians Association of Australia since 2008.
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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.

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Kathryn Nolan

Senior Teaching Fellow, Bond University

Kathryn Nolan is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with more than 20 years’ experience.  She has worked in many cosmopolitan, rural and remote areas of Queensland, Australia. Her extensive experience includes both hospital and community positions for Queensland Health as well as a successful private practice within a general practice setting. More recently she became a Senior Teaching Fellow at Bond University.
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Tara Diversi

Business, Communication and Leadership Consultant, Health Leadership Australia

Co-Founder, Sophus Nutrition

Tara Diversi is passionate about combining nutrition, psychology and communication to help clients make positive change to improve their health. She is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with two post graduate qualifications in psychology and an MBA majoring in marketing, which complement her dietetic qualifications. Tara works as a business, communication and leadership consultant with Health Leadership Australia. She is the co-founder of Sophus Nutrition, a platform that combines nutrition with behavioural economics and technology to bring dietetic care into homes of patients across the globe.

COURSE DELIVERY AND ASSESSMENT

The Professional Certificate of Medical Nutrition Management is fully delivered online. We offer a ‘start anytime online’ course structure, which gives flexible start and completion times for studies, as well as exam extensions, to fit in with busy schedules. Participants can enjoy the flexibility to study at their own pace, in their own time, within their home or office, and on their favourite mobile device. The modules are set up in such a way that participants are not required to be online at specific times but can view and replay the video lectures at their convenience. The webinars offer the opportunity to join and interact with the presenters online in real-time but can also be viewed later. There are no face-to-face requirements for exams which can be conveniently completed online within six months of the start of a cohort. With no travel, accommodation or out-of-office expenses incurred, participants can build critical skills and tailor their career while working in a busy practice or raising a family.

There are eight units in a HealthCert professional diploma program. The course is delivered over 15 weeks with 12 weeks of teaching followed by three weeks for revision and final examinations. The course includes online presentations from experts in the field followed by patient case discussions and decision-making. There is a final webinar prior to examinations. You will also receive valuable 12 months' web-based support from the speakers and participate in regular online learning sessions with the opportunity to ask any questions you might have as you implement your learning. 

The course includes: 

  • All presentation slides available for download.
  • Access to additional learning resources, reference materials and video lectures.
  • Reading list with references to peer-reviewed journal articles to keep up-to-date with developments in the field.

In order to meet the requirements of professional and academic learning, the course assessment includes a professional requirement and two online examinations.

  • Develop a one-page report/explanation of how you will use the learning from this course in your professional work.

Online assessment

  • 88 knowledge questions based on a scenario of a medical practitioner undertaking special interest training.
    • 11 per module
      Example: The medical practitioner believes that 10% of the population … Is he correct?  Yes/No
  • 88 authentic scenario based questions based on cases of patient care at a clinic
    • 11 per module
      Example: A patient arrives at your clinic with this problem … What should you do?  Multiple choice images based on patient cases.

The knowledge-based examination is worth 50 per cent and the application-based examination is worth 50 per cent. The overall pass mark is 80 per cent. It is therefore not possible to pass this course on knowledge alone. Knowledge must be successfully applied to patient cases in order to pass the course.

HealthCert recommends completion of the assessment at your convenience within six months of the start of a cohort.

CERTIFICATION AND ACCREDITATION

PCNUT certificate

Upon successful completion of the course requirements, course participants will receive the Professional Certificate of Medical Nutrition certificate and below points. To learn more about the delivery of certificates in Australia and overseas, please visit our FAQs.

RACGP CPD Accredited Activity 40 Points
ACRRM - PDP units: 25 Educational activity, 16 Performance review

 

This professional certificate:
  • Provides CPD points from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
  • Provides PDP points from the Australian Council 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. Points are calculated differently.
  • Is a self-submitted activity in Dubai. The number of CPD points 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. Category 1 points are reported as certified and Category 2 points are reported as non-certified. Contact mainprocredits@cfpc.ca for more information.
  • Meets World Federation of Medical Education standards.
  • Is quality-assured by Bond University.

EDUCATION PATHWAYS

This online three-part program consists of the Professional Certificate, Advanced Certificate, and Professional Diploma of Medical Nutrition Management.

 

Certified clinical attachments pathway

Course graduates may continue their professional development by completing a clinical attachment, which are available on request. These will be on a 1:1 basis providing the opportunity to observe clinical nutrition consultation, planning and decision-making and ask questions of the expert. Clinical attachments are available in Australia.

 

Postgraduate pathway for nutrition 

This pathway is suitable for medical practitioners who are mainly interested in clinical academic study. Medical professionals who successfully complete the HealthCert Professional Certificate, Advanced Certificate and Professional Diploma of Medical Nutrition Management will be eligible to apply for recognition of prior learning for NUTR71-103: Nutrition Issues and Priorities at Bond University. This subject may lead to a pathway into the Graduate Certificate in Evidence Based Practice (or other exit points within the Master of Healthcare Innovations), or the Graduate Certificate in Nutrition at Bond University. Learn more.

 

A pathway leading to a Graduate Diploma in Obesity and Weight Management with an online provider in the UK is currently under discussion.
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