Pharmacotherapy in the Management of Obesity

Description

Objectives:
At the end of the session the participants will be able to:

1. Understand the biology of appetite and body weight regulation, and the pathophysiology of obesity
2. Understand an overview of the 2020 Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Obesity
3. Know how to introduce the 5A’s of Obesity Management Framework to initiate a discussion about obesity and formulate a treatment plan with patients
4. Understand the recommendations for the use of pharmacotherapy in the management of obesity
5. Discuss the safety and efficacy data of approved medications to treat obesity in Canada

Description:
There has rarely been as much attention on a medication as Ozempic™ has had the past few years. It comes up regularly in even casual discussions of weight loss and has often dominated discourse on obesity and weight management as consumer demand for the medication has ramped up. Yet what is often missed, is the complete picture and understanding of what currently available medications are best suited to which patients, and why. In addition, these medications are sometimes prescribed without a complete plan of care. Join us and Shahebina Walji, MD, CCFP Medical Director of the Calgary Weight Management Centre for a comprehensive review of the biology of appetite and body weight regulation, an overview of the most recent Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Obesity, and learn how to introduce the 5A’s of Obesity Management Framework to initiate a discussion about obesity and formulate a treatment plan with patients. We’ll also review the recommendations for the use of the current medications available for weight management  and discuss the safety and efficacy of approved obesity management medications.

Who Should Attend?:
• Nurses in all settings, primary, community, acute & critical care, med-surg,mental health, ambulatory, transition/discharge settings
• New professional staff in Obesity, Bariatric and Diabetic Clinics, Nurses in NP led Clinics
• Dietitians, Occupational Health Care Nurses, Nurse Educators, Tele-Health Nurses
• Pharmacists, Psychologists, Psychotherapists
• All staff who wish to update their knowledge of Obesity

Dr. Shahebina Walji, MD, CCFP

Dr. Shahebina Walji is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Calgary, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.  She received her medical degree from McMaster University and her Family Medicine designation from the University of Toronto. She delivers clinical and didactic teaching to residents, and she is extensively involved in the development of continuing education programs to increase knowledge about obesity and its treatments to practising health professionals.  As the medical director of Calgary Weight Management Centre, Dr. Walji works with a specialized team to provide comprehensive and evidence-based care to patients who are trying to manage their weight. She is an educator for Obesity Canada as well as a co-author of the Primary Care Chapter of the 2020 Canadian Adult Obesity Guidelines.