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PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA

MEDICAL NUTRITION MANAGEMENT

Gain an advanced understanding of nutrition management in order to improve overall health outcomes for your patients.

Doctor measuring a patient's waist

Overview

Take your medical nutrition knowledge to the highest level to holistically manage the most complex general health conditions seen in primary care.

  • Learn to assess and intervene in complex health conditions managed in primary care.
  • Acquire comprehensive nutrition knowledge to treat patients with conditions such as obesity, diabetes, pregnancy, CVD, cancer, and eating disorders. 
  • This course is for medical doctors, International Medical Graduates, registered nurses and degree-qualified health professionals.
  • CPD-accredited and university-assured.

CPD requirements

Fulfils 50 hrs for medical professionals in Australia

Study modes

100% online

Course fee

$1495
Special rates available

Study duration

84 hrs
Self-paced

Quality assured by bond university

Course benefits

  • Provide comprehensive healthcare through targeted diet interventions to improve your patients’ quality of life.
  • Expertly address eating disorders and depression.
  • Support patients with chronic kidney disease through nutritional strategies.
  • Manage food allergies and intolerances to ensure patient wellbeing.
  • Submission and analysis of medical practitioners’ own cases are a key feature of this course and exceeds the outcome measurement CPD requirements.

Get unlimited access to all course content, additional learning materials, ongoing post-course support, and more.

Course contents

Diet and Depression

This course focuses on the role of diet in the prevention and treatment of common mental health disorders. The global burden of disease and the links to poor nutrition are discussed. Epidemiology and the role of nutrition in early life, adolescence and adulthood, links diet quality to brain and mental health outcomes. The gut-brain axis is explained including the relationship between mental health, gut health and gut microbiota. The content includes dietary interventions in the treatment of depression based on evidence from studies. Clinical practice guidelines are described. The key issues and barriers to improved diet and therefore improved mental health are discussed. A consistent multidisciplinary approach is required to facilitate best possible patient outcomes.   

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious mental health illnesses and can occur in any person, crossing boundaries of gender, age, culture and body size. In this course, diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, avoidance and restrictive feeding and intake disorder, and other specified feeding and eating disorders are listed. Understanding eating disorders including contributing factors are discussed. High risk populations, early identification signs and screening tools such as SCOFF and Eating Disorder Screen for Primary Care are outlined. The second section covers medical monitoring, inpatient admission criteria, treatment options and referral pathways including the dietician role. All patients with an eating disorder warrant initial medical monitoring to ensure safety, as eating disorders have the potential to negatively impact a wide range of physiological systems. Guides to medical monitoring criteria for inpatient admission and treatment options are explained including the role of the GP and the multidisciplinary team.    

Nutrition in Chronic Kidney Disease

This course introduces the key nutritional considerations for patients with chronic and end stage kidney disease. It gives a broad understanding of the difference in nutrient recommendations and diet quality and identifies what presenting symptoms and issues in kidney disease can lead to further discussions about nutrition. The first section outlines nutrition problems in CKD patients stages 1-5 including chronic diseases such as CVD/diabetes/insulin resistance and/or malnutrition. The second section outlines the complexities of chronic kidney disease including kidney stones, hydration and electrolyte/fluid imbalance. The role of high and low potassium foods, vitamins and trace elements in improving patient outcomes is discussed. The content includes diagrams, guides, case studies and research.   

Childhood Nutrition

This course outlines the role of nutrition for optimising health outcomes for infants, toddlers and young children. It includes nutrition guidelines, breast milk and formula feeding, introduction to solids and family foods, and practical considerations like fussy eating, faltering growth, weight issues and constipation. Australian dietary guidelines for children and adolescents are outlined including infant feeding guidelines and principles of healthy eating. Assessment of breastfeeding adequacy, choice of formula, introduction to solids, allergy prevention and inappropriate feeding practices are included. The second section discusses fussy eating and food refusal, practical advice, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and faltering growth. Expected growth and weight gain assessment guides are provided together with practical nutrition advice. The areas of childhood obesity and constipation in childhood include resources, guidelines and possible contributing factors.   

Advanced Sports Nutrition

This course outlines the constituents of dietary supplements in sports nutrition and risks of supplement contamination. Effective dietary supplements for athletes of all ages and sport endeavour are outlined. The first section focusses on safe and legal supplement use in athletic populations. It discusses dietary supplements, the reasons for using supplements, prohibited and non-approved substances, the risks of a positive test and reducing contamination risk. The second section discusses the effective use of dietary supplements with athletes, supplement categorisation systems, and optimizing dietary intake/ergogenic including medical supplements and vitamin use. The role of an accredited sports dietitian to ensure dietary adequacy and supplement effectiveness is outlined. The importance of monitoring supplementation including the consumption of specific dietary supplements, adverse health effects, legalities, supplement use inventory, efficacy for use and effectiveness in the individual sporting context are included. 

Motivational Interviewing for Behaviour Change

This course examines the principles of motivational interviewing to guide health behavioural changes. The content includes recognising what triggers can lead to health behavioural change, discusses the challenges to patient’s engaging in change, and suggests various clinical tools to assist with this process. Change strategies including desire, ability, reasons and need, commitment strength measures, sustainability and change talk components are outlined. Four core skills of open questions, affirmations, reflections and summaries whilst practicing advanced listening skills can awaken motivation to change. The content then identifies and offers guidelines to work with resistance and discord and suggests ways to respond to change resistance and guide healthier outcomes.   

Ageing, Medication and Nutritional Management

This course commences with discussing normal vs pathological ageing, the physiological changes of ageing and how nutrition is one of the major determinants of successful ageing. Nutrient, vitamin and mineral absorption is discussed along with deficiencies in these areas. Recommended dietary intake guides are presented including the impact of medications and polypharmacy, and pharmacokinetic changes over the ageing process. The relationship between ageing, malnutrition and polypharmacy is discussed including the relationship between medication and nutrient interactions. Unit two presents two comprehensive case studies that detail observations, history taking, investigation choices and presenting symptoms and signs. Management strategies for each case include the medication/nutrient relationship, statin induced symptoms and key learnings. Early access to appropriate nutrition care assists in the journey of successful ageing and quality of life.   

Food Allergies and Intolerances

This course defines food allergies, allergy prevention and dietary advice during pregnancy and infancy. Worldwide infant feeding guidelines for prevention of allergies and infant introduction to foods guidelines are included. Determining food allergy vs intolerance, sensitization vs tolerance and symptom history suggestive of lgE and non-lgE are discussed with supporting clinical images. Nutritional information regarding the management of infants and children with suspected food allergies is addressed including anaphylaxis reactions and eczema conditions. The role of the GP for referral and testing options for allergic reactions is included. Common and less common food allergens are described including cross reactivity and co-reactivity. Cow’s milk allergy, food protein induced enterocolitis syndrome and eosinophilic oesophagitis are discussed in detail. The course concludes with outlining food intolerances including pharmacological food chemical reactions, artificial and natural food chemicals. 

Did you know you can also study most of these course modules in HealthCert 365?

If you're not interested in pursuing a full certificate in this field but simply want to enhance your skills in specific topics covered in this course, you can access the content of this and other courses for a full year at the time-limited price of $795 (saving $200)!* 

Meet your instructors

 
Jaimon Kelly__1
 
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.

 
Treasure Mcguire__1
 
Dr Treasure McGuire
PhD, BPharm, BSc

GradDipClinPharm, GCHEd, CertIVTAE, Adv Prac Pharm, FACP, FPS, MSHP

Assistant Director of Pharmacy (Practice and Development), Mater Health

Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Bond University

Dr Treasure McGuire is a passionate medicines information pharmacist, pharmacologist, educator and researcher. She is an Assistant Director of Pharmacy (Practice and Development), Mater Health, Brisbane and holds two senior conjoint academic appointments between Mater, the School of Medicine, Bond University and School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland (UQ). She is also currently national president of the Australian College of Pharmacy.

As Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Bond University, Dr McGuire aims to transform medical students from ‘doctor as scientist’ to ‘prescriber ready clinicians’. For her work in education at UQ, she was a member of the Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy Program Team that received the 2016 UQ Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences Award for Programs that Enhance Learning (APEL) and a 2017 UQ Commendation for these programs.

Dr McGuire collaborates with academic GPs in patient centred research, in the domains of medicines information, evidence-based practice, medication safety, reproductive health and complementary medicines.

 
Tetyana Rocks__1
 
Dr Tetyana Rocks
Head of Translational and Educational stream

 

Head of Translational and Educational stream, Food & Mood Centre, Deakin University

Dr Tetyana Rocks is a postdoctoral research fellow and Head of Translational and Educational stream at the Food & Mood Centre, Deakin University.  Her main role within the centre is to support the translation of the current evidence in the field of Nutritional Psychiatry into policy and clinical practice through education and training of health professionals and the wider community in Australia and internationally. Tetyana is also continuing to developing her research in eating disorders, focusing on the role of gut microbiota in treatment. Tetyana is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian with extensive experience in tertiary education.

 
Stan Steindl__1
 
Dr Stan Steindl
Clinical Psychologist

 

Clinical Psychologist, Psychology Consultants Pty Ltd

Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland

Co-director, UQ Compassionate Mind Research Group

Dr Stan Steindl is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice at Psychology Consultants Pty Ltd, and an Adjunct Associate Professor at School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Australia. He is also co-director of the UQ Compassionate Mind Research Group. He has over 20 years’ experience as a therapist, supervisor and trainer, especially providing training in Motivational Interviewing (MI). His PhD examined the use of MI with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder and comorbid alcohol dependency, and he continues to work in the areas of trauma, addiction and health behaviour change, as well as having a general clinical practice. He is an active member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), and delivers training in an engaging, informative and practical ways.

 
Kathy Beck__1
 
Kathy Beck
Chair, Dietitian Subcommittee

 

Chair, Dietitian Subcommittee, Australasian Society of Clinical Immunologists and Allergists (ASCIA)

Kathy Beck has more than 35 years’ experience working as a registered nurse and a dietitian in clinical dietetics, across all types of home and hospital settings both in Australia and the UK. Kathy is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian and in the last 10 years has specialised in paediatric clinical dietetics across a diverse range of specialty areas but specifically within paediatric food allergy. She is the recognised paediatric allergy dietitian across Queensland and lectures in the area of paediatric food allergy to dietetic students, dietitians, GPs and paediatricians.

Kathy is the Chair of the Dietitian Subcommittee of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunologists and Allergists (ASCIA) which aims to provide up-to-date educational resources for health professionals and families living with food allergy. Kathy is an active member of the International Network of Diet and Nutrition in Allergy (INDANA) and regularly attends National and International food allergy conferences to broaden and update her skills.

 
Shane Jeffrey__1
 
Shane Jeffrey
Accredited Sports Dietitian

 

Accredited Sports Dietitian

Treasurer, Australian & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders

Founder, River Oak Health

Founder, Food Mind Body

Shane Jeffrey is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian and Accredited Sports Dietitian with 25 years of experience as a dietitian in both the private and public sectors, working almost exclusively in the field of eating disorders, the non-diet approach and sports nutrition. Shane is the current treasurer and a past executive member of the Australian & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders, a past chairperson for the nutrition interest group for the Academy for Eating Disorders, and a past chairperson for the Eating Disorder Interest Group for the Dietitians Association of Australia.

Shane has a passion for supporting the education of health professionals in the eating disorders, teaching into four universities, facilitating workshops, and presenting at various national and international conferences. Shane is the founder of River Oak Health and Food Mind Body, two Queensland-based private practices dedicated to the treatment of eating, weight and body image concerns.

 
Peta Paterson__1
 
Peta Paterson
Accredited Practising Dietitian and Senior Teaching Fellow

 

Accredited Practising Dietitian and Senior Teaching Fellow, Bond University

Peta Patterson is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Senior Teaching Fellow at Bond University. Her teaching focuses on community and public health nutrition issues and its application to improving the health of the population. Prior to academia she has worked as a dietitian in the general practice setting supporting patients to achieve optimum health through nutrition. She has also spent over 10 years as a Senior Public Health Nutritionist with a primary focus on the health of mothers, infants and children. She has been a member of the Dietitians Association of Australia since 2001.

 
Greg Shaw__1
 
Greg Shaw
Nutrition Lead
 

Nutrition Lead, Australian swimming

Greg Shaw is a sports dietitian that has developed his experience in sports nutrition over the past 25 years. Five of those years were first-hand, as an international ranked swimmer and a member of the Australian Swim Team. Since completing his degree in 2000, Greg has worked with elite teams such as the Brisbane Lions (premiership 03), Queensland Reds and has worked individually with Olympic champions and world record holders consulting to Australian, Queensland and British swimming teams, and the Queensland Academy of Sport. He spent ten years as a senior sports dietitian at the Australian Institute of Sport. He is currently the Nutrition Lead for Australian swimming. Greg was a board member of Sports Dietitians Australia for over 10 years and was instrumental in developing their professional development framework and is currently a member of SDA’s education committee.

Greg is passionate about sports nutrition and ensuring athletes and sports health professionals practice performance focused, safe and legal sports nutrition practices. Greg is currently a member of numerous national sporting bodies, Sport Supplement Policy panels, and was involved in the development of the AIS Sport Supplement Framework. Greg has completed research into the use of dietary supplements by swimmers, including what drives supplement use and how this use has changed over time in relation to regulatory and policy changes.

Study modes

Study 100% online

100% online

Study at your own pace and to your own schedule. 

  • View and replay video lectures at your convenience.
  • Participate in online case discussions with your peers.
  • Attend or watch recordings of live tutorials with experts in this field.
  • Complete your assessment online and receive your CPD hours and certificate.
HealthCert 365 - a digital CPD library

HealthCert 365

Easily meet your CPD requirements and gain valuable skills – all in one place for $83 per month. 

  • Customise your learning experience by accessing and focusing only on course modules that interest you the most.
  • Gain access to 200+ additional CPD activities and 50-hour special focus CPD programs, sourced from all HealthCert university-assured programs.

Professional Diploma of Medical Nutrition Management

$1495 

 .
  • Meets the 50hr annual CPD requirement*
  • 100% online
  • Flexible start and completion time

Bundle two courses and save 5%, or three courses and save 10% upon enrolment.
Talk to us about deferred payment options, registrar scholarships and special rates.

Example of Professional Diploma of Medical Nutrition Management
This certificate meets the 50hr annual CPD requirement for medical practitioners

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

Accredited CPD activities in this certificate

This is an RACGP-approved CPD activity under the RACGP CPD program.

RACGP CPD Accredited activity
RACGP Activity Number Activity Title Education Hours Performance Hours Total Hours
485092 Advanced sports nutrition 485092 5 6 11
485087 Nutrition in chronic kidney disease 485087 4.5 6 10.5
485089 Childhood nutrition 485089 4 6 10
485477 Motivational interviewing for behaviour change 485477 4.5 6 10.5
485074 Diet and depression 485074 4.5 6 10.5
485109 Ageing, medication and nutritional management 485109 4.5 6 10.5
485082 Eating disorders 485082 4.5 6 10.5
485116 Food allergies and intolerances 485116 4.5 6 10.5
Grand Total 84

Outcome measurement

The peer reviewed comprehensive clinical audit associated with this professional diploma exceeds the annual CPD outcome measurement hours.

Pre- and post-course information

Entry requirements

The Professional Diploma 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, degree-qualified health professionals, and International Medical Graduates. Participants must have successfully completed the HealthCert Advanced Certificate of Medical Nutrition Management course (or a qualification deemed equivalent).

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.

Professional Diploma courses are at the highest level at HealthCert. There are additional professional requirements and submission of patient cases (clinical audit). A literature review must also be completed on journal articles.

The HealthCert Professional Diploma of Medical Nutrition is a combination of course activities and clinical audit.

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

This certificate course meets the minimum 50 hours CPD annual requirement across all three mandatory CPD activity types.

Upon successful completion of the course requirements, course participants will receive the Professional Diploma of Medical Nutrition certificate.

This certificate course:

  • Qualifies for CPD hours from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
  • Qualifies for CPD hours 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 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.
  • Is quality-assured by Bond University.

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

Pathways

Professional Diploma Pathway

This course is the last part of the three-part Professional Diploma of Medical Nutrition Management. The education pathway is Professional Certificate of Medical Nutrition ManagementAdvanced Certificate of Medical Nutrition Management and Professional Diploma of Medical Nutrition Management.

You might also be interested in the Primary Certificate of Medical Nutrition & Chronic Disease.

Postgraduate pathway for Medical Nutrition Management with Bond University

Medical professionals who successfully complete the HealthCert 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.

Postgraduate scholarships for Medical Nutrition Management with the University of South Wales

HealthCert graduates who successfully complete the Professional Diploma of Medical Nutrition Management receive a scholarship of up to £500 (approximately $1,000) towards the Master of Science in Obesity and Weight Management and the Master of Science in Sports Nutrition (to be offered in 2021). The postgraduate courses are offered entirely online through DiplomaMSc in the UK and awarded by the University of South Wales. This scholarship is only available to HealthCert alumni. Learn more or enrol here.

University quality-assured and CPD-accredited education provider 

Quality assured by Bond University
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Frequently asked questions

Don't see your question? Explore other faqs or talk to us.

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 84 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 Council 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.

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