Weighty conversations Helping patients overcome obesity: A CME update Obesity is an endocrine-related disease, not a matter of willpower. May 23, 2017Tuesday AOA Staff Contact AOA Staff Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Topics CMEobesityosteopathic approach Weight loss is recommended for 65 percent of Americans, yet even DOs focused on prevention and partnering with patients are sometimes reluctant to raise the topic of obesity. The tenets of osteopathic medicine put DOs in the perfect position to tackle obesity in America, says Christopher D. Still, DO, director of the Geisinger Obesity Institute. Dr. Still shares his expertise in the new AOA on-demand CME program “Leveraging the Principles of Osteopathic Medicine: Advancements in the Management of Obesity,” available for one category 1-B credit. ‘Not a willpower issue’ “It’s important to recognize that obesity is an endocrine-related disease, not a willpower issue,” Dr. Still noted. “No state has an obesity prevalence of less than 20 percent. This is truly an epidemic in the United States today, and we as osteopathic physicians have an opportunity to engage some of the 65 million patients who are overweight and obese.” Obesity is a complex disease that requires a multidisciplinary approach. Patient response to treatment varies significantly, and studies show the best weight loss outcomes occur with frequent face-to-face visits. CMS compensates physicians for obesity treatment for patients with a BMI over 30, Dr. Still noted, and will cover up to 15 visits per year. Learn more about treating obesity The obesity webcast is recommended for primary care physicians and specialists with significant numbers of overweight patients. Participants can expect to learn how to do the following: • Apply the four tenets of osteopathic medicine to the management of obesity. • Explain the relationship between being obese and the risk of chronic disease. • Employ accurate assessment and appropriate management of obesity, including pharmacotherapy and non-pharmacologic therapy. • Formulate a comprehensive, multidisciplinary strategy for weight management. More in Patient Care Enhanced payment to support longitudinal care: The new E/M complexity add-on code G2211 The office/outpatient E/M visit complexity add-on code was established to improve payment for the time, intensity and practice expense resources involved when physicians furnish O/O E/M office visit services that enable them to build longitudinal relationships with patients. The dark side of semaglutide: Gastric emptying delays pose a risk when undergoing surgery Semaglutide, hailed as a weight loss miracle, is facing new scrutiny over the potential risks to patients who are taking it and undergoing medical procedures. Previous articleFSMB lists OMT as a non-pharma treatment alternative to opioids Next articleCall for research proposals from The Portes Foundation
Enhanced payment to support longitudinal care: The new E/M complexity add-on code G2211 The office/outpatient E/M visit complexity add-on code was established to improve payment for the time, intensity and practice expense resources involved when physicians furnish O/O E/M office visit services that enable them to build longitudinal relationships with patients.
The dark side of semaglutide: Gastric emptying delays pose a risk when undergoing surgery Semaglutide, hailed as a weight loss miracle, is facing new scrutiny over the potential risks to patients who are taking it and undergoing medical procedures.