Professional Certificate of Medical Nutrition Management (Online)

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

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: superfoods, paleo, and organics
• 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.
• Receive a comprehensive course folder and research/readings in the field.
• 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 FEES AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

GP REGISTRARS: Doctors in training who are on a recognised pathway to General Practice Registration through a recognised training provider receive a HealthCert Scholarship.

COURSE DELIVERY AND ASSESSMENT

The Professional Certificate of Medical Nutrition Management is fully delivered online. 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 three months of trimester end date. 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: 

• Digital full-colour workbook including all presentation slides.
• 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.

CERTIFICATION AND ACCREDITATION

EDUCATION PATHWAYS

This online three-part program consists of the Professional Certificate, Advanced Certificate, and Professional Diploma of Medical Nutrition Management. Upon completion of the program, participants will be eligible to apply for credit for the Graduate Diploma in Nutrition with Bond University. This is suitable for medical practitioners who are mainly interested in clinical academic study. Course graduates may also 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.

Certified clinical attachments pathway

Optional clinical attachments 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. The Graduate Diploma in Nutrition is studied through Bond University. Medical professionals who successfully complete the HealthCert Professional Certificate, Advanced Certificate and Professional Diploma of Medical Nutrition Management will be eligible to apply for credit for the Bond University Graduate Diploma. RPL will be granted for NUTR71-105 Nutrition and Chronic Disease Management. 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.