‘Is it time to talk about your weight?’

AdvertoriAl

British Journal of Nursing, 2014, Vol 23, No 15 867

© 2

014

MA

Hea

lthca

re L

td

individualised approaches to address all factors influencing the condition in question.

CCH has been established to equip a broad range of health professionals with the knowledge and skills required to tackle the growing incidence of health problems related to modern day lifestyles. CCH is dedicated to using new digital education technology to train the large number of health professionals necessary to address lifestyle-related conditions.

The first issue CCH is tackling is obesity, the incidence of which is growing rapidly worldwide. Obesity is a healthcare priority because it is associated with a wide range of long-term conditions that negatively affect an individual’s health and quality of life. Obesity and its associated comorbidities are also placing an increased burden on overstretched health and social care services. Obesity levels in the UK have doubled over the last 25 years and it

A s a nurse you are often aware that the symptoms a patient is presenting with are a result of their weight which is

not being addressed. Dealing with obesity is a national crisis and the solution is often more than simply ‘eat less, exercise more’. The Postgraduate Certificate in Obesity Care from The College of Contemporary Health (CCH) is designed to equip you with the most recent information and techniques to assess, counsel and guide patients through an individualised care plan.

Lifestyle related issues often do not have a single cause, and result from a complex interplay of health, social, economic, and environmental factors. This means that if they are to be successfully tackled, advanced interdisciplinary healthcare solutions are required that bring together a range of health and social care agencies and individuals to develop multifaceted,

is estimated that more than half the population will be obese by 2050. The annual cost of obesity, in the UK alone, is now estimated to be £27 billion per year (HOOP 2014 report). With this global health issue as its primary focus, CCH aims to make health professionals in the UK “the most obesity literate in the world”. CCH is committed to reducing the burden of obesity by training health professionals from a range of disciplines in the causes and consequences of obesity together with possible solutions including understanding the behavioural aspects associated with this complex problem.

In April 2014, CCH launched a massive open online course (MOOC) which saw over 900 health professionals and people living with, or affected by, obesity participate in the free four week programme . Following the success of the MOOC, CCH launched, in June 2014, their Postgraduate Certificate in Obesity Care for health professionals and others with relevant professional experience.

‘The online format works well for me as I can fit my study in around my other commitments and the use of the discussion boards and cross class conversation has allowed me to have interactions with other students and get their opinions and feedback. It is very valuable that all the students come from different sectors so we get a more rounded view of obesity care. It also means that even though you are studying alone, you feel you are part of a class’ Current CCH Postgraduate Certificate in Obesity Care student

BJON_2014_23_15_Advertorial.indd 867 06/08/2014 09:39

AdvertoriAl

British Journal of Nursing, 2014, Vol 23, No 15 867

© 2

014

MA

Hea

lthca

re L

td

individualised approaches to address all factors influencing the condition in question.

CCH has been established to equip a broad range of health professionals with the knowledge and skills required to tackle the growing incidence of health problems related to modern day lifestyles. CCH is dedicated to using new digital education technology to train the large number of health professionals necessary to address lifestyle-related conditions.

The first issue CCH is tackling is obesity, the incidence of which is growing rapidly worldwide. Obesity is a healthcare priority because it is associated with a wide range of long-term conditions that negatively affect an individual’s health and quality of life. Obesity and its associated comorbidities are also placing an increased burden on overstretched health and social care services. Obesity levels in the UK have doubled over the last 25 years and it

A s a nurse you are often aware that the symptoms a patient is presenting with are a result of their weight which is

not being addressed. Dealing with obesity is a national crisis and the solution is often more than simply ‘eat less, exercise more’. The Postgraduate Certificate in Obesity Care from The College of Contemporary Health (CCH) is designed to equip you with the most recent information and techniques to assess, counsel and guide patients through an individualised care plan.

Lifestyle related issues often do not have a single cause, and result from a complex interplay of health, social, economic, and environmental factors. This means that if they are to be successfully tackled, advanced interdisciplinary healthcare solutions are required that bring together a range of health and social care agencies and individuals to develop multifaceted,

is estimated that more than half the population will be obese by 2050. The annual cost of obesity, in the UK alone, is now estimated to be £27 billion per year (HOOP 2014 report). With this global health issue as its primary focus, CCH aims to make health professionals in the UK “the most obesity literate in the world”. CCH is committed to reducing the burden of obesity by training health professionals from a range of disciplines in the causes and consequences of obesity together with possible solutions including understanding the behavioural aspects associated with this complex problem.

In April 2014, CCH launched a massive open online course (MOOC) which saw over 900 health professionals and people living with, or affected by, obesity participate in the free four week programme . Following the success of the MOOC, CCH launched, in June 2014, their Postgraduate Certificate in Obesity Care for health professionals and others with relevant professional experience.

‘The online format works well for me as I can fit my study in around my other commitments and the use of the discussion boards and cross class conversation has allowed me to have interactions with other students and get their opinions and feedback. It is very valuable that all the students come from different sectors so we get a more rounded view of obesity care. It also means that even though you are studying alone, you feel you are part of a class’ Current CCH Postgraduate Certificate in Obesity Care student

BJON_2014_23_15_Advertorial.indd 867 06/08/2014 09:39

868 British Journal of Nursing, 2014, Vol 23, No 15

© 2

014

MA

Hea

lthca

re L

td

CCH’s Postgraduate Certificate in Obesity Care consists of three modules, each of which are 10 weeks long. It is delivered completely online using the CCH-X Learning Management System, an easy to use, online platform, allowing busy health professionals the flexibility to study in their own time and at their own pace. The three modules (see box 1) run concurrently. An innovative aspect of the course design is the requirement for students to work with and share information with their peers who are studying other modules, allowing for great inter and intraprofessional discussions and collaboration. This encourages students to interact with each other, ensuring they connect the issues within each module to form a coherent body of knowledge and skills.

‘The course is professionally organised and presented via e-learning modules and I have been extremely well supported by my course tutor. My first module has been fascinating and really enjoyable – very thought provoking. I already feel it has been of assistance in my field of work.’ Current CCH Postgraduate Certificate in Obesity Care student

While each module has a different emphasis, all three focus on the use of motivational interviewing and use case studies to relate students’ learning to professional practice. The modules involve interactive e-learning units and presentations, critical reflective practice, discussion forums, casework and research-based assignments. Incorporation of keynote lectures with social media tools allows for active participation and ongoing discussion, debate and dialogue. Students examine the evidence base for current best clinical practice, explore patient experiences and treatment options in terms of effective weight loss, and evaluate the issues concerning environmental and organisational influences. Even though the course is delivered online students are assigned their own tutor who they can interact with personally via our online interface, and they can post queries and questions as they arise, to be dealt with through online chat, email and discussion groups on the CCH-X platform.

Val Bullen, Director of Education at CCH, says the interprofessional nature of the course is crucial to effectively address

obesity. “There are many papers from the organisations such as the Medical Royal Colleges highlighting the lack of effective inter-professional education. Health professionals usually work together in their own specialities, and when they participate in multidisciplinary teams it can take time for the different members to understand each others’ contribution. By enabling them to undertake education together we hope to help break down these barriers so that people can work together more effectively for the benefit of their patients”. Having had personal experience with obesity, Mrs Bullen is acutely aware, that “obesity is an extremely complex problem… there is never a single cause, and simply repeating the mantra of ‘eat less, exercise more’ just does not work. If we fail to address the underlying psychological and emotional issues we can’t expect people to lose weight and then maintain that loss. If it were so simple we wouldn’t have this problem”.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Obesity Care equips students with the skills and knowledge they need to help patients own their problem, understand what has led to their obesity, and be able to take charge of their own health with the support of knowledgeable and skilled professionals. Key recommendations on the need for obesity education from the British Psychological Society, Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, Royal College of Nursing, Royal College of Physicians reports have been incorporated into the curriculum of the course. Using online methods to deliver its courses has allowed CCH to recruit some of the UK’s leading obesity experts to advise and assist with the development of the course. This ensures CCH students have access to the highest quality academic support and learning materials.

‘The course so far has been extremely interesting. A lot of work has clearly been put in to make it informative, challenging and thought provoking’ Current CCH Postgraduate Certificate in Obesity Care student

The next intake for the Postgraduate Certificate in Obesity Care starts in September 2014 and CCH are currently accepting applications. CCH plan to progress to continuous enrolment in the future, enabling health professionals to begin studying whenever suits them. CCH’s online delivery model offers students unrivalled flexibility, allowing them to fit their studies around work and family commitments, or their own study preferences.

As obesity increases in incidence and its burden on both individuals and resources grows, the UK needs health professionals in all settings who understand the complex issues underlying obesity on both an individual and national level. With their skills in developing trusting relationships with patients, nurses are ideally placed to tackle this issue. CCH’s innovative methods of enabling a range of professionals to work in collaboration, and its high-quality course content equips students to lead the way in reducing the human and financial cost of obesity.

To find out more about CCH, and the Postgraduate Certificate in Obesity Care, as well as to apply for the course, visit: www.contemporaryhealth.co.uk or call the admissions office on +44 (0)203 542 7996.

BJN

Box 1. Obesity Care Modules:

■ Obesity: Causes and Consequences (20 credits)This module reviews the physiology of adipose tissue and the pathological, emotional and economic consequences of obesity together with the impact of the obesogenic environment and changes in lifestyle

■ Obesity: The Solutions? (20 credits)This module reviews the typical approaches of diet and exercise to ascertain the strengths and weaknesses of the various approaches and consider the need for support at personal, local and governmental levels

■ Obesity: Behavioural Aspects (20 credits)This module reviews emotional and psychological issues around eating and obesity, together with the effects of social stigmas attached to being fat, and their impact on the ability to lose weight and maintain that loss

BJON_2014_23_15_Advertorial.indd 868 06/08/2014 09:39

Click here to learn more about the

Postgraduate Certificate in Obesity Care