Curriculum
Overview
The Advanced Certificate of Medical Nutrition Management covers the role of therapeutic diets in the treatment of chronic illnesses and other nutritional disorders, highlighting the principles of the nutrition care process as applicable in a primary care setting. You will learn key nutrition assessment techniques and intervention strategies that will assist you in providing comprehensive health care to your patients. The course teaches how medical nutrition strategies can be implemented to improve patient outcomes in areas including pregnancy, diabetes, cancer, sport and cardiovascular nutrition.
This course is the second part of the three-part Professional Diploma of Medical Nutrition Management. The education pathway is Professional Certificate of Medical Nutrition Management, Advanced 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.
Entry Requirement and Course Certificate
The Advanced Certificate 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 Professional 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.
Professionally recognized qualifications and prior studies may be recognized 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.
Course Contents
- Nutrition for fertility, pregnancy and lactation
- Patient centred weight management: non-diet approach
- Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance
- Carbohydrates and diabetes
- Cardiovascular nutrition
- Gut microbiome: pre and probiotic treatments
- Nutrition management in cancer
- Sport nutrition for high performance
Course Participants Will:
- Have the opportunity to replay video lectures from medical experts
- Participate in discussion of patient cases, evaluate and make decisions
- All presentation slides available for download.
- Participate in course webinar prior to the examinations and ask questions
- Receive unlimited and ongoing access to free alumni learning resources, video lectures, and discussion forums, as well as invite-only events and special offers after completion of the course
- Receive ongoing support post-course through webinars and case review
- Have the opportunity to participate in optional clinical attachments at dedicated nutrition clinics
Course Outline
Module 1 – Pregnancy: Complete Nutrition Guide For Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation
This module provides an overview of the role of nutrition and lifestyle choices for optimizing health at all stages of pregnancy. A case study is used to inform about the role of nutrition for conception and fertility. Lifestyle choices including key nutrients for pre-conception and optimizing fertility are suggested. The patient case then moves to nutrition through pregnancy and addresses nausea and vomiting, and how a healthy diet reduces outcome risks for mother and infant including key nutrients and foods to avoid. Lifestyle considerations through pregnancy are outlined. The case study then moves to lactation post-partum and stresses the importance of healthy nutrition for lactation/promoting lactation and includes foods to avoid. Management plans and evidence based practice guidelines are suggested at each stage. Supplements in pregnancy are mentioned and the module concludes with summarizing practical nutrition considerations in pregnancy.
Module 2 – The Non-Diet Approach - Making The Shift To Weight-Inclusive Health Care
This module outlines the shift to weight-inclusive health care and recognizes that both health behaviours and genetics may influence body weight. Weight classifications and limitations of BMI screening are discussed together with contributing chronic disease risk factors. A case study is presented to consider weight management dietary strategies including bariatric surgery, medication, nutrition and physical activity. Evidence based weight management strategies, potential risks of the diet culture, weight cycling and the relationship between dieting and mental health are discussed. A healthy lifestyle is preferable to a diet. People in bigger bodies may avoid medical care until conditions are advanced, to avoid weight bias and stigma. The non-diet approach looks at common assumptions in health care and the key principles of health at every size including weight inclusivity, health enhancement, respectful care, eating for well-being and life-enhancing movement. The case study is revisited and options discussed including strategies to engage patients.
Module 3 – Metabolic Syndrome and Insulin Resistance
This module introduces and defines the features and pathogenisis of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. General practitioners are uniquely placed to diagnose and manage this condition. Screening tools, medical complications and risk factors are explained together with the complexities, incidence and prevalence of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. Common features of this condition are described including abdominal (visceral) obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and microalbuminuria. Risk factors affecting the endocrine, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems are outlined as well as the relationship with coronary heart disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The role of the gut microbiome in patients with metabolic syndrome is mentioned. A case study reinforces learning. The second section focusses on environmental determinants including lifestyle choices, nutrition, physical activity and medications. Low energy and ketogenic states are detailed in addition to a change in overall dietary patterns. Referral options to dieticians and surgery are mentioned. A case study concludes this module.
Module 4 – Are Carbs The Enemy: Understanding The Nutritional Needs of Patients With Diabetes?
The module focuses on the key nutritional problems for patients with diabetes and discusses healthy eating, defines carbohydrates, examines the glycaemic index vs glycaemic load, and includes the nutrition priorities for people with diabetes. The goals of diabetes management includes healthy eating to positively influence glycaemic control, blood pressure, hyperlipidemia and overweight/obesity. A healthy diet, physical activity and in some cases, pharmacological intervention contribute to glycaemic control. Carbohydrates (CHOs) are mentioned before moving to explaining the glycaemic index (GI) and its role in diabetes management. Nutritional priorities are discussed including weight loss, healthy eating and individualised plans. Low carbohydrate diets are defined and their relationship with GI and managing diabetes. The benefits and disadvantages of a low CHO/ketogenic diet in relation to managing diabetes are discussed. A case study reinforces module content.
Module 5 – Latest Trends In Cardiovascular Nutrition
GPs play an important role to directing patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) to evidence-based nutrition advice and resources. This module discusses the evolution of evidence and heart health nutrition recommendations including the National Heart Foundation Eating for Heart Health Position Statement and other recent cardiovascular disease management and heart failure guidelines. Nutrient supplements are discussed together with cardiovascular nutrition controversies including food trends and omega-3, anti-inflammatory dietary components and weight management. The second section discusses the key principles and evidence for the DASH and Mediterranean diets supported by evidence-based research. Guides are provided for the GP and the patient approach including patients with lower health literacy.
Module 6 – The Gut Microbiome: Prebiotic and Probiotic Treatments
The first section of this module outlines the main functions of the gut microbiota and factors that affect its composition. Microbiota, its function and significance for gut health is explained. Factors that affect gut microbiota include delivery mode, diet, age, disease and medications. The gut microbiota interacts with the body including the immune and nervous systems. Short term consumption of different diets alters microbial community structure and gene expression. The second section covers the appropriate use of specific prebiotics and probiotics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional constipation. Probiotics and prebiotics are explained including food sources for both. The mechanisms and effect on the gut microbiota are outlined. Evidence based research and guidelines supports the module content.
Module 7 – Nutrition Management In Cancer
This module focuses on the changing nutritional requirements for patients diagnosed with cancer across treatment, during survivorship and end-stage care. As some cancer treatments can affect appetite, patients may be at nutritional risk – the ESPEN guide outlines the three categories for patients at risk: precachexia, cachexia and refractory cachexia. Multi-modal treatments are discussed including dietary counselling and sample meal plans. Nutritional recommendations for minimizing recurrence risk are listed. The GP and dietitian’s role is outlined for managing these patients. The second section suggests recommended evidence-based nutrition management to improve the nutritional status and quality of life for patients with cancer. Omega-3 fatty acids and other ‘hot topics’ including ginger and adjuvant therapies are mentioned. The impact of chemotherapy on nutrition and gastronomy is explained. In end stage care, nutritional focus is for symptom management and quality of life. Evidence-based guidelines and research support the module content.
Module 8 – Sports Nutrition For High Performance
Athletes’ nutritional needs are principally determined by their training load and body mass. This module focusses on key nutritional priorities for athletes, safe and effective supplement options and nutrition priorities to maximize daily training performance, manipulate recovery and maintain immune function. Planning nutritional requirements for competitions and understanding athletes at risk of nutritional deficiencies are discussed. A case study of a triathlete reinforces learning. Timing of daily dietary intake including carbohydrate and protein guidelines, and barriers to fueling/refueling are included. Relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) and the potential consequences of RED-S are discussed including the stages of iron deficiency, RED-S assessment tools, and return to play guides. Muscle protein balance after exercise is considered including guides. Plant based protein supplements and guides to strategic eating to promote muscle protein synthesis are detailed. Expert assistance is strongly advised before supplement use. The module includes Information on supplements, sports foods and drinks.
Course Delivery and Assessment
This is a fully online course. We offer a ‘start anytime online’ course structure, which gives flexible start and completion times for studies, as well as exam extensions, to fit in with busy schedules. Participants can enjoy the flexibility to study at their own pace, in their own time, within their home or office, and on their favourite mobile device. The modules are set up in such a way that participants are not required to be online at specific times but can view and replay the video lectures at their convenience. The webinars offer the opportunity to join and interact with the presenters online in real-time but can also be viewed later. There are no face-to-face requirements for exams which can be conveniently completed online within six months of the course start date. With no travel, accommodation or out-of-office expenses incurred, participants can build critical skills and tailor their career while working in a busy practice or raising a family.
There are eight units in a HealthCert professional diploma program. The course is delivered over 15 weeks with 12 weeks of teaching followed by three weeks for revision and final examinations. The course includes online presentations from experts in the field followed by patient case discussions and decision-making. There is a final webinar prior to examinations. You will also receive valuable 12 months web-based support from the speakers and participate in regular online learning sessions with the opportunity to ask any questions you might have as you implement your learning.
The Course Includes:
- All presentation slides available for download.
- Access to additional learning resources, reference materials and video lectures.
- Reading list with references to peer-reviewed journal articles to keep up-to-date with developments in the field.
In order to meet the requirements of professional and academic learning, the course assessment includes a professional requirement and two online examinations.
- Develop a one-page report/explanation of how you will use the learning from this course in your professional work.
Online Assessment
- 88 knowledge questions based on a scenario of a medical practitioner undertaking special interest training.
- 11 per module, Example: The medical practitioner believes that 10% of the population … Is he correct? Yes/No
- 88 authentic scenario based questions based on cases of patient care at a clinic
- 11 per module, Example: A patient arrives at your clinic with this problem … What should you do? Multiple choice images based on patient cases.
The knowledge-based examination is worth 50 per cent and the application-based examination is worth 50 per cent. The overall pass mark is 80 per cent. It is therefore not possible to pass this course on knowledge alone. Knowledge must be successfully applied to patient cases in order to pass the course.
HealthCert recommends completion of the assessment at your convenience within six months of the course start date.
Accreditation and Certification
Upon successful completion of the course requirements, course participants will receive the Advanced Certificate of Medical Nutrition certificate and below points.
Note this e-course is not hosted on Nexlec and users can click the "Select" button to be directed to the course page.
Providers Terms
Course Transfers
Face to Face Courses
Course transfers for Face to Face practical workshops are available, subject to requests being received, in writing, a minimum of 10 business days prior to workshop commencement. Transfer requests received after 10 business days prior to workshop commencement will incur an Administration Fee of $250.
Transfers will be subject to availability in the future workshops. If the future workshop has a cost differential, that price will apply, and any additional charges will be payable at the time of the transfer request.
One workshop transfer, per course is allowed. Further transfers will be considered upon application and may be charged at 25% of a full new workshop booking rate.
Online Courses
Transfers for Online courses are available subject to requests being received, in writing, within 7 days of enrolment. Transfer requests received after the 7 days post enrolment will incur an Administration Fee of $200. One course transfer request, per course is allowed.
If the future course being transferred to, has a cost differential, that price will apply, and any additional charges will be payable at the time of the course transfer request.
Online Cancellations and Refunds
Cancellation and a full refund of the course fees will be provided if a request is received, in writing, a maximum of 7 days after course enrolment. Refund requests received later than 7 days after course enrolment will incur an Administration Fee of $250. Upon cancellation and full refund of the course enrolment, you will not receive a certificate or accreditation points.
Bundle Courses
Courses purchased as part of a bundle attract a discount. This discount is apportioned to the final course in the bundle in the cases of cancellations and refunds. Therefore, cancellation and refund requests of a course that have been purchased as part of a bundle are refunded based on the first and/or second course being charged at the full price rate. Any courses remaining in the bundle can be refunded provided the request is received, in writing, a maximum of 7 days after course enrolment. Refund requests received later than 7 days after course enrolment will incur an Administration Fee of $250.
Tickets:
Standard RateClosed| Contact Hours: | 12.0 hrs |
| Format: | Online Modules and Assessment |
| Duration: | 8 Online Modules |
| Lecture Videos | |
| Compatability: | All Devices |
| Language: | English |
| Subtitles: | None |
| Provider: | HealthCert |
| Contact: |
Speaker(s):
 | Prof. Liz IsenringProgram Head, Master of Nutrition and Dietetic Practice, Bond University Associate Dean of Research, Bond University |
Professor Liz Isenring is an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian passionate about improving the quality of life of patients and their carers via evidence-based nutrition. Liz is Head of Program for the Master of Nutrition and Dietetic Practice, and the Associate Dean of Research for the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine at Bond University. She is recognised internationally as an expert in nutrition during treatment for cancer and for older adults. Liz has held several leadership positions including in AuSPEN, Dietitian Connection and MASCC, has published over 130 peer-reviewed papers and received more than $3 million AUS in research funding.
 | A/Prof. Gregory CoxAssociate Professor, Nutrition and Dietetics Program, Bond University |
Associate Professor Gregory Cox is a Fellow of Sports Dietitians Australia (SDA) and an Accredited Practising Dietitian. He worked at the Australian Institute of Sport for 20 years and is currently the Nutrition Lead for Triathlon Australia and Paddle Australia. In 2016, Greg was the Nutrition Lead for the Australian Olympic Team at the Rio Olympic Games. He currently works at Bond University as an Associate Professor within the Nutrition and Dietetics program alongside his consultancy work in elite sport.
He is committed to making a difference within his daily work, be it teaching undergraduate or graduate students, working with elite athletes and coaches or undertaking applied research in sport and the wider nutrition field. He publishes original research, has written sports nutrition books and book chapters alongside countless sports nutrition periodicals. He loves travel, for work and holidays and regularly heads overseas for training camps, conferences, major sporting events or for his own holidays chasing the snow and waves!! He is a lifelong athlete and has maintained a competitive spirit in Triathlon and Surf Life Saving. Given his skill in poaching fresh, local eggs, he has often discussed the possibility of opening a restaurant with his son, Sebastian based on this theme - O for Awesome!!
 | Dr. Kate MorganAcademic, Bond University |
Dr Kate Morgan has been an academic with Bond University since 2012. Her teaching with dietetics students has focused on food science and nutrition, and its application across dietetic practice. This has involved leading future dietitians on culinary investigations in the food lab as well as informative paddock-to-plate expeditions outside the university.
Kate recently completed her PhD in dietetics education, taking a national approach to exploring key stakeholders’ perspectives on dietetics workforce preparation and preparedness. Through her PhD, Kate authored six peer-reviewed publications and presented the findings of her research at conferences both nationally and internationally.
Prior to academia, Kate was a dietitian in the corporate sector. This involved working with multinational companies to enhance the nutritional profile of their products while maintaining palatability, meeting business needs and effectively communicating credible nutrition information to consumers.
Kate has been an Accredited Practising Dietitian and member of the Dietitians Association of Australia since 2008.
 | Dr. Lauren BallSenior Research Fellow, Griffith University Early Career Fellow, NHMRC Associate Editor, Australian Journal of Primary Health Executive Committee Member, Australasian Association for Academics in Primary Care |
Dr Lauren Ball’s vision is that all Australians are supported by a health care system that allows them to reach their full potential in life. This will be achieved by making nutrition a prominent part of the ongoing care they receive in general practice – the first point of contact with the health care system.
Lauren has worked with community members, health professionals, education providers and professional bodies to conduct research on how patients can be better supported in general practice to eat well. She implements interventions and programs so that general practitioners, nurses, dietitians, nutritionists, pharmacists and other health professionals feel confident in nutrition and have the skills to best meet patients' needs. She also works with Primary Health Networks to better understand how primary care services can be reoriented to put nutrition and other lifestyle behaviours at the forefront of the health care system.
Lauren has published over 100 peer-reviewed scientific articles and attracted over $1 million in research funding from government bodies, non-government organisations and philanthropic foundations. She is a Senior Research Fellow at Griffith University and an NHMRC Early Career Fellow. She is also an Associate Editor for the Australian Journal of Primary Health and Executive Committee Member of the Australasian Association for Academics in Primary Care.
 | A/Prof. Stijn SoenenClinical researcher, Bond University |
Associate Professor Stijn Soenen joined Bond University in 2019. He is a clinical researcher, with a passion to teach, who specialises in nutrition. He completed a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics (Leuven, Belgium), and a Master of Science (high distinction) and PhD in Biological Health Sciences at Maastricht University (Maastricht, the Netherlands). In 2011, he relocated to Australia to expand his research skills within the NHMRC Centre of Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE) in Nutritional Physiology, Interventions and Outcomes and the Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) in Translating Nutritional Science to Good Health supported by the Mary Overton and Florey Fellowships from the Royal Adelaide Hospital Research Foundation (2011-18). He maintains strong links with the CRE at the University of Adelaide and the Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN).
Stijn has established an international reputation in the field of physiological mechanisms underlying energy balance (the regulation of energy intake and energy expenditure), particularly on the role of dietary protein on body weight, muscle mass and function, which is of major importance to health outcomes. He leads a program of research relating to malnutrition, over- (e.g., bariatric surgery patients) and undernutrition (frailty), and type 2 diabetes, in older people. His complex, and technically demanding, clinical studies, performed in internationally recognised research environments, have been published in leading journals in his field. His research has been awarded on several occasions and supported by >$2M including a principal investigator Diabetes Australia Research Trust (DART) Grant related to postprandial glucose metabolism in older people (CIA, 2019), an NHMRC grant related to muscle protein accretion in ICU patients (CIC, 2018-20), and a further 21 project grants. He regularly presents at national and international conferences, reviews papers, grant applications, student-research proposals and conference abstracts, and chairs conference sessions.
 | Dr. Hannah MayrPost-doctoral researcher, Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH), Brisbane |
Dr Hannah Mayr is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian who recently completed her PhD thesis at La Trobe University. Under the principal supervision of leading Mediterranean diet researcher, Prof Catherine Itsiopoulos, she investigated the effect of a Mediterranean versus low-fat diet on inflammation and adiposity in patients with coronary heart disease.
Hannah has published a number of reviews, methods and results-based papers within this work and received the ‘New Researcher Award’ at the 2018 Dietitians Association of Australia National Conference for her thesis work exploring a novel dietary assessment tool, the Dietary Inflammatory Index. Her research and practice interests are in dietary patterns and interventions, chronic disease and metabolic health.
Hannah currently works as a post-doctoral researcher at Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) in Brisbane and externally with La Trobe, which includes activities to enable implementation of the Mediterranean diet into routine care for chronic disease management. At PAH she leads a mentorship group focused on research capacity building for clinical dietitians. She also teaches into the Master of Nutrition and Dietetics at Bond University and she is passionate about engaging dietetics students in research activities.
 | Dr. Eirini DimidiResearch Associate, Department of Nutritional Sciences, King’s College London, UK |
Dr Eirini Dimidi is a nutritionist and registered dietitian since 2011. She has been awarded a PhD from King’s College London where she investigated the symptomatic, physiological and microbiological effect of probiotics in people with constipation. In 2016, she was appointed as a Research Associate at the Department of Nutritional Sciences, King’s College London, where she is undertaking several research projects on the impact of nutritional interventions (fibre, probiotics, prebiotics, low FODMAP diet) in people with functional bowel disorders. Other research projects include investigating the effect of diet on the gut microbiota and gut health, as well as exploring patients’ perceptions of gut diseases. She has published in several peer-reviewed nutrition and gastroenterology journals and has presented her work in national and international conferences.
 | Christina TurnerSenior Teaching Fellow and Internships Lead, Master of Nutrition and Dietetic Practice Program, Bond University |
Christina Turner is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with almost 19 years’ experience working across a variety of settings including acute dietetics, community outpatients, public health and community development. More recently she has specialised in eating disorders and established SOL nutrition, a non-diet private practice in northern New South Wales, Australia.
Christina is currently a Senior Teaching Fellow and Internships Lead within the Master of Nutrition and Dietetic Practice Program at Bond University. She teaches into the clinical and communication/counselling subjects including eating disorders, weight-inclusive practice and non-diet nutrition, cognitive-behavioural therapy and motivational interviewing topics.
Course Information: Medical-Nutrition.pdf
