Development of Obesity Competencies for Medical Education: A Report from the Obesity Medicine Education Collaborative

Abstract

Objective Obesity Medicine Education Collaborative (OMEC) was formed to develop obesity‐focused competencies and benchmarks that can be used by undergraduate and graduate medical education program directors. This article describes the developmental process used to create the competencies. Methods Fifteen professional organizations with an interest in obesity collaborated to form OMEC. Using the six Core Competencies of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education as domains and as a guiding framework, a total of 36 group members collaborated by in‐person meetings, email exchange, and conference calls. An iterative process was used by each working subgroup to develop the competencies and assessment benchmarks. The initial work was subsequently externally reviewed by 19 professional organizations. Results Thirty‐two competencies were developed across the six domains. Each competency contains five descriptive measurement benchmarks for evaluator rating. Conclusions This set of OMEC obesity‐focused competencies is the first evaluation tool developed to be used within undergraduate and graduate medical training programs for both formative and summative assessments. Routine and more robust assessment is expected to increase the competence of health care providers to assess, prevent, and treat obesity. In addition to dissemination, the competencies and benchmarks will need to undergo evaluation for further validity and practicality.

The Obesity Pandemic—Whose Responsibility? No Blame, No Shame, Not More of the Same

“…Current opinion also emphasizes social determinants and equity, thereby moving away from personal responsibility concepts (4). Although recent competencies for medical training do recommend chronic disease models and personalized obesity management care plans (5), there is no mention of topics such as self-management, locus of control or responsibility. It is not clear whether this is because they are considered unimportant or because they are not politically correct-yet, they are critical components for chronic disease management such as diabetes, post-transplant care and obesity (6).…”

The Obesity (Under) Treatment Conundrum

“…Although treatment alone will not end the obesity pandemic, resolving the treatment conundrum will be essential to improve the lives and reduce the costs of those people already affected. Resolution of the conundrum will require the integration of multiple strategies, including empowerment of people with obesity to demand appropriate and effective care, overcoming bias and stigmatization, documentation of obesity, shared decision‐making about care with competent providers , adherence to a standard of care , and inclusion of pharmacotherapy in health plan formularies. Federal and state policy makers should work to ensure that public insurance programs, such as Medicaid and state employee health plans, cover FDA‐approved drugs for obesity.…”

Core Principles, Treatment Standards, and Provider Competencies for the Care of Patients with Obesity

“…The second paper forges for the first time a comprehensive inventory of clinical competencies for undergraduate and graduate medical education in obesity together with benchmarks for evaluation of learners. The competencies for training in obesity care were developed by the Obesity Medicine Education Collaborative (OMEC) joined by representatives from 15 professional organizations .…”

“…Included among core standards of obesity care is the mandate to develop discipline‐specific clinical competencies for the range of HCPs who participate in the treatment of patients. This leads us to the second paper that charts a course for the training of physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice nurses in obesity medicine . OMEC established 32 competencies for obesity care corresponding to six domains applied by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education: practice‐based learning, patient care skills, system‐based practice, medical knowledge, communication skills, and professionalism.…”

“…An important aspect of the OMEC effort is the outstanding process employed to develop core competencies and evaluation measures . The task was accomplished by 36 individuals with experience in obesity medicine, medical education, and curriculum development, who were selected by 15 professional organizations that have a vested interested in obesity care.…”