CME | Slim Solutions: Navigating Weight Loss Medications
Release Date: 07/18/2024
FFFM | December 2025 Advocacy Rounds
Inside Family Medicine
In this episode of Fighting for Family Medicine, David Tully, Vice President of Government Relations at AAFP, provides a detailed review of the organization's advocacy efforts for December. Topics covered include a new advisory committee vote on Hepatitis B vaccination, the decline in the rural family physician workforce, updates on value-based care models, feedback on AI-enabled medical devices, opposition to proposed HIPAA security rule, the harmful practice of downcoding by health plans, policies to make health care more affordable, IRS updates on health savings accounts for direct...
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IFM | Reconnecting with the AAFP: Dr. Kaci Larsen's Journey in Family Medicine
Inside Family Medicine
In this episode of Inside Family Medicine, guest host, Adam Bradley interviews Dr. Kaci Larsen, a regional medical director in Phoenix, Arizona, about her journey in family medicine and her involvement with the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Dr. Larsen discusses her early introduction to the AAFP, the importance of community and leadership within the organization, and the challenges and rewards of a career in family medicine. She also gives advice for new physicians on staying connected and maintaining work-life balance. Topics By Timestamp ...
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CME | Beyond Judgement: What Actually Works for Weight Loss?
Inside Family Medicine
In this episode of CME on the go, our hosts focus on discussing GLP-1 agonists and their impact on obesity management. They delve into patients' varying perceptions and willingness to use these medications versus non-pharmacologic approaches like lifestyle, integrative, and preventive medicine. The hosts examine different dietary plans, such as the Mediterranean, DASH, and plant-based diets, and their efficacy in weight loss. They stress the importance of shared decision-making, individualized patient care, and considering cultural and socioeconomic factors. The episode concludes with...
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FFFM | Members at the Center of Advocacy in 2025
Inside Family Medicine
In this episode of Fighting for Family Medicine, David Tully, vice president of Government Relations and a member of the AAFP Advocacy team, reviews the significant advocacy efforts by the Academy and its members in 2025. Highlighting key legislative victories and member participation, Tully underscores the impact of family physicians in shaping health care policy. The episode features an interview with Dr. Adrienne Parad, a family physician and town council member in Ledyard, Connecticut, who shares her journey into public service and how her medical background informs her role in local...
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CME | Let’s Talk Flu Shots: Clearing the Air on Flu Vaccine Safety
Inside Family Medicine
In this episode of CME on the Go, Dr. Jason Marker, Dr. Tamaan Osbourne-Roberts, and Dr. Lauren Brown-Berchtold discuss the importance of influenza vaccination. They share personal experiences, outline vaccine recommendations for various age groups, and address common safety concerns and myths about the flu vaccine. They emphasize the role family physicians play in preventing hospitalizations and deaths through effective vaccination campaigns. Listeners are encouraged to incorporate practical strategies for discussing vaccines with patients and to stay informed on the latest vaccine...
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CME | This Is Giving Me a Headache: Managing the Headache Patient Without Losing Your Mind
Inside Family Medicine
In this episode of CME on the Go, our hosts discuss the complexities of diagnosing and treating headaches in primary care. They cover common challenges faced by family physicians, such as differentiating between primary and secondary headaches, the importance of taking thorough patient histories, and the appropriate use of diagnostic tests like MRI and CT scans. The episode offers a deep dive into treatment options for headaches, including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic methods, with a special focus on managing chronic daily headaches, migraine disorders, and medication overuse...
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FFFM | November 2025 Advocacy Rounds
Inside Family Medicine
As the holiday season approaches, David Tully, VP of Government Relations at the AAFP, recaps the organization's advocacy efforts in November. Key topics include the Medicare physician fee schedule; student loan debt for primary care physicians; and meetings with lawmakers to push for continued telehealth flexibilities, strengthening the primary care workforce and ensuring that the Medicare physician fee schedule is implemented as published. The AAFP also addresses the issue of down coding by health plans and the urgency to extend ACA health care tax credits. Listeners are...
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IFM | Supporting Family Caregivers in 2025: How Family Physicians Can Strengthen Healthcare’s Hidden Workforce
Inside Family Medicine
In this episode of Inside Family Medicine, we are joined by Rita Choula, AARP's Senior Director of Caregiving, and Dr. Ecler Jaqua, a family and geriatric medicine expert, to discuss how family physicians can support caregivers. Topics include the role and challenges faced by family caregivers, key findings from AARP's Caregiving in the US 2025 report, and important practices for family physicians to support caregivers. Both guests share personal experiences and underscore the importance of recognizing and supporting caregivers as a critical component of the health care system. ...
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IFM | Exploring Rural Health and Private Practice with Dr. Brittney Anderson
Inside Family Medicine
In this episode of Inside Family Medicine, we hear from Dr. Brittney Anderson, a board-certified family physician and founder of Anderson Family Care in rural Alabama. Dr. Anderson discusses her journey from training to opening her private practice, the importance of providing comprehensive care in rural areas, and the challenges and rewards of owning a private practice. She emphasizes the significance of community involvement and shares valuable advice for physicians considering opening their own practices. Topics By Timestamp 00:00 Introduction 00:11...
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CME | Get In, Learner, we're Doing Family Medicine!
Inside Family Medicine
In this episode of CME on the Go, our hosts delve into the nuances of medical teaching and education. They share personal experiences, teaching strategies, and the significance of engaging learners from different generations. The episode highlights the importance of questioning, respect, and collaborative learning in developing skilled family physicians. Special guest, Chief Resident Elaine Wong, provides insights into what makes teaching effective from a learner’s perspective, emphasizing the value of interactive and respectful learning environments. After listening to the...
info_outlineThe CME on the Go series of the Inside Family Medicine podcast lets you earn up to 0.5 CME credits per episode — join the hosts as they dive into the complexities of weight loss medications, from historical perspectives to modern practices. Discover the nuanced conversations around BMI, patient-centered care, and the latest in weight loss treatments.
The hosts explore the history and controversies surrounding BMI, off-label medication use, and the evolution of weight loss treatments from the 1800s to today. The conversation emphasizes the need for patient-centered language, compassionate care, and a comprehensive approach that includes both lifestyle and pharmacological interventions. The hosts also touch on the mental health implications of obesity and the importance of forming a supportive partnership with patients.
Your hosts for this episode are Lauren Brown-Berchtold, MD, FAAFP, program director for the San Joaquin General Family Medicine Residency in French Camp, Calif.; Jason Marker, MD, MPA, FAAFP, associate director of the Memorial Hospital Family Medicine Residency program in South Bend, Ind.; and Tamaan Osborne-Roberts, MD, MBA, FAAFP, chief medical officer and vice president of health strategy at the public sector health plan Colorado Access.
Whether you're navigating patient queries or seeking to enhance your clinical knowledge, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice for family physicians. Tune in now and earn CME credit with every listen!
Credit Claiming After listening to the podcast episode, claim 0.5 AAFP credit by following the provided link. https://www.aafp.org/assessment/take/15313/e
Learning Objectives:
- Discover the mechanisms of action of common weight loss drugs.
- Evaluate the efficacy and safety profiles of weight loss medications.
- Discuss the appropriate indications, contraindications, and monitoring parameters for prescribing weight loss drugs in clinical practice.
References
Li, Z., Hong, K., Yip, I., Huerta, S., Bowerman, S., Walker, J., Wang, H., Elashoff, R., Go, V. L., & Heber, D. (2003). Body weight loss with phentermine alone versus phentermine and fenfluramine with very-low-calorie diet in an outpatient obesity management program: A retrospective study. Current Therapeutic Research, Clinical and Experimental, 64(7), 447-460. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0011-393X(03)00126-7
American Academy of Family Physicians. (2022). Several drugs are effective for weight loss in obese or overweight adults; it is unclear whether they improve health outcomes. American Family Physician, 106(1), online. Retrieved from https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2022/0700/poems-weight-loss-drugs.html
American Academy of Family Physicians. (2023). Medications to promote weight loss: Guidelines from the American Gastroenterological Association. American Family Physician, 108(4), 424-426. Retrieved from https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2023/1000/practice-guidelines-medications-weight-loss.html
The New York Times. (1997, September 23). How fen-phen, a diet miracle, rose and fell. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/23/science/how-fen-phen-a-diet-miracle-rose-and-fell.html
Resources
AAFP: Treatment of Patients with Obesity -
AAFP: Practical Approaches to Improving Obesity Care, members-only free CME
AAFP: Addressing Health Disparities for Patients with Obesity, a free practice manual
ADA-AAFP Collaborative Podcasts: Medical Management of Overweight and Obesity | Journals Gateway | American Diabetes Association (diabetesjournals.org)
Topics by Timestamp
- 00:00 Introduction to CME On the Go
- 00:44 Meet the Hosts
- 01:16 Episode Overview: Weight Loss Medications
- 01:36 Patient Conversations on Weight Loss
- 03:25 Historical Context of Obesity in Medicine
- 07:43 BMI and Its Controversies
- 12:41 Medication Management for Obesity
- 17:52 Modern Weight Loss Medications
- 23:22 Partnering with Patients on Weight Loss
- 28:03 Future Topics and Resources
- 28:42 Moments of Gratitude
- 30:05 Conclusion and CME Information
Disclosure: It is the policy of the AAFP that all individuals in a position to control content disclose any relationships with commercial interests upon nomination/invitation of participation. Disclosure documents are reviewed for potential conflicts of interest and, if identified, conflicts are resolved prior to confirmation of participation. Only those participants who had no conflict of interest or who agreed to an identified resolution process prior to their participation were involved in this CME activity.
All individuals in a position to control content for this session have indicated they have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Disclaimer: Copyright 2024. AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of American Academy of Family Physicians.