Are you a dietitian or health professional working with patients with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders?
The Monash FODMAP team has created an online course focused on the identification and management of disordered eating practices among people with GI disorders.
With a growing body of research showing that disordered eating is extremely common among people with GI disorders, it is critical that dietitians working in this area have the knowledge and skills to ensure that diet therapies (especially those restrictive in nature) are safely prescribed and that patients with disordered eating behaviours are given the support they need to improve their relationship with food and manage their GI disorder.
The course compiles the latest evidence, to give learners a thorough understanding of why disordered eating practices are so common in this population, which tools should be used to identify them, and what to do if problems are identified.
The 8.75 hour course is available entirely online, and learners complete the course at their own pace, over 6 months. Interactive elements throughout the course support learning, such as:
- Video interviews with expert dietitians and gastroenterologists
- Infographics
- Question-answer flip cards
- Sorting activities
- Reading exercises
- Multiple choice quizzes
- Final exam
Everyone who passes the final exam is issued with a certificate of completion. Health professionals can use this certificate to claim 8.75 CPE units with their member association.
Learning outcomes:
Learners will gain in-depth understanding and practical skills in the following areas:
- Restrictive diets commonly used to manage GI disorders, as well as popular restrictive 'fad' diets such as the paleo and detox diets.
- Nutritional and psychological risks of restrictive diets
- The definition of disordered eating, the various types of eating disorders, the prevalence of these conditions and high risk groups
- Gastrointestinal symptoms common to people with eating disorders, the mechanisms driving these symptoms and the importance of identifying and managing GI symptoms
- The bidirectional relationship that exists between GI disorders and eating disorders, whereby each condition increases the risk of the other
- Eating disorders particularly common among patients with GI disorders, namely orthorexia and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
- How to screen for and assess disordered eating risk
- Scope of practice considerations for dietitians working in this area
- The importance of a multidisciplinary care team in managing GI patients with disordered eating/eating disorders
- How to reduce the risk of restrictive diets, and when to use less restrictive dietary approaches, non-restrictive dietary approaches, and when to refer on for non-diet therapies.
Course Overview
Module 1
In this Module, participants will learn about the restrictive diets commonly used to manage gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, the potential impacts of these diets on nutritional status and quality of life, and the role of dietitians in identifying and managing risks of restrictive diets. The concept of disordered eating is explored, along with the many and varied types of eating disorders.
Module 2
Module 2 explores the bidirectional relationship which exists between disordered eating and GI disorders, whereby each condition increases the risk of the other. The GI symptoms common to people with eating disorders are discussed, along with the disordered eating behaviours and eating disorders commonly seen among patients with GI disorders.
Module 3
Module 3 explores the screening and assessment process that dietitians should implement when seeing patients with GI disorders, to identify disordered eating behaviours and screen for eating disorders. This is particularly important if a restrictive diet therapy is being considered.
Module 4
Module 4 focusses on the management of patients identified with disordered eating behaviour or a suspected eating disorder. Scope of practice considerations are also discussed. Strategies to minimise the risk of restrictive diet therapies are explored, along with less restrictive and non-restrictive diet therapies.
CPE units / CPD hours
- US registered Dietitians - 8.75 CPEUs (Level 2) pre-approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration
- All other registered Dietitians and health professionals - 8.75 CPD hours
Course fees
Introductory price:
USD $120
AUD $175 (incl GST)
Course completion is due 6 months from time of registration and payment.
Sign up to gain the skills to help your GI patients
Contact us
Still got questions? Email us at courseenquiry@monashfodmap.com