CME | Slim Solutions: Navigating Weight Loss Medications
Release Date: 07/18/2024
IFM | Innovative Diagnostic Tools and Workflows for Suspected Alzheimer’s in Primary Care
Inside Family Medicine
In this special edition of Inside Family Medicine, sponsored by Roche Diagnostics, host Darren Sextro talks with brain health experts Deanna Willis, MD, MBA, a board-certified family physician, and Jared Brosch, MD, board-certified neurologist, on the use of blood-based biomarkers (BBBMs) in primary care settings for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Their discussion explores how BBBMs can make referrals more efficient and enhance the evaluation of patients with cognitive decline. The conversation highlights the value of early diagnosis...
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CME | Private Practice, Public Impact: Finding Your Fit in Modern Medicine
Inside Family Medicine
In this episode of CME On the Go, Jason Marker, MD, MPA, FAAFP and Lauren Brown-Berchtold, MD, FAAFP, discuss how private practice in family medicine is evolving and how physicians can evaluate different models in 2026. They review trends showing a shift from 50/50 self-owned vs. other-owned practices in 2016 to about 75% other-owned and 25% private practice today, note rural workforce losses, and highlight rapid growth in direct primary care (DPC) and concierge models, alongside increasing corporate ownership. They compare employed practice vs....
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FFFM | April 2026 Advocacy Rounds
Inside Family Medicine
David Tully, AAFP vice president of government relations, recaps the AAFP’s April 2026 advocacy efforts. AAFP led a coalition letter urging the Departments of Homeland Security and State to speed visa and immigration processing for international medical graduates, citing delays with J-1 waivers, H-1B extensions, and green cards that disrupt care in rural and underserved areas. AAFP warned the Department of Education that a proposed Workforce Pell rule could exclude physicians with graduate degrees from short-term training support, worsening...
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CME | A Crash Course in Thyroid Confusion
Inside Family Medicine
In this episode of CME On the GO, the hosts discuss a practical approach to hypothyroidism, using a case of a 50-year-old woman with nonspecific symptoms (weight gain, fatigue, edema, constipation). They emphasize thorough history and physical exam, then outline key thyroid testing: TSH as the initial screening test (often with reflex free T4), free T4 for confirmation and special situations (including pregnancy), and limited uses for T3 tests. They review antibody testing (TPO for Hashimoto’s, thyroglobulin antibodies in select cases) and note tests...
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FFFM | Lawmaker Spotlight: Physician Voices Shaping Health Policy
Inside Family Medicine
David Tully, AAFP vice president of government relations, speaks with U.S. Rep. Mike Kennedy, MD, a family physician and former Utah state legislator, about why he chose family medicine, how having more clinicians in public office can lead to bipartisan physician collaboration on health care policy and the need for greater professional autonomy. We also hear from U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter, MD, a pulmonary/critical care physician and former Oregon state legislator who...
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IFM | Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell: Delivering Maternal Health Care and Equity
Inside Family Medicine
In this episode of Inside Family Medicine, Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD, MS, discusses maternal health care and the role of family physicians in providing consistent care from preconception through pregnancy and postpartum. Dr. Curry-Winchell shares why she chose family medicine and her nontraditional path from a Certified Nursing Assistant to Physicians Assistant to physician, including the risks she took to attend medical school. She describes her own near-fatal postpartum complication following a cesarean section and emphasizes the importance of...
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IFM | From Clinic to Community: Advancing Health Equity in Rural Settings
Inside Family Medicine
In this episode of Inside Family Medicine, host Emily Holwick speaks with Calin Kirk, MD, family physician at the Cherokee Nation’s Sam Hider Health Center in Jay, Oklahoma, and Sarah Gerrish, MD, full-spectrum family physician and assistant professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, to discuss advancing health equity in rural and tribal communities. They share why family medicine’s broad scope of practice and continuity of care matter, and outline barriers like distance,...
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CME | Twisted Truths: What You Didn't Learn About Sickle Cell
Inside Family Medicine
In this episode of CME On the Go, the hosts discuss sickle cell disease (SCD) and the role of family medicine in recognizing, screening, and preventing complications. They review SCD as an autosomal recessive hemoglobin disorder distinct from sickle cell trait and highlight major complications such as anemia, infection risk, pain crises, and acute chest syndrome. The episode emphasizes global prevalence, newborn screening (and potential gaps), and risk beyond African ancestry. It also covers hemoglobin electrophoresis patterns, preventive care including penicillin prophylaxis and...
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IFM | Enhancing Knowledge About mRNA Vaccines
Inside Family Medicine
In this episode of Inside Family Medicine, host Michael Monroe speaks with AAFP Vaccine Science fellows Anne Schneider, DO, FAAFP, and Mina Saleem Khan, MD, FAAFP, about why mRNA vaccines matter and how family physicians can address patient questions and misinformation. They explain mRNA basics, review COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy, address common myths, and share practical communication strategies—such as empathetic counseling, presumptive recommendations, and team-based systems—to reduce missed vaccination opportunities. Topics by...
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FFFM | March 2026 Advocacy Rounds
Inside Family Medicine
David Tully, AAFP vice president of government relations, recaps the AAFP’s March 2026 advocacy efforts. Academy EVP and CEO Shawn Martin testified before Congress on how underinvestment fuels workforce shortages, longer waits and practice closures. Chronic disease drives 90% of the $4.9 trillion the US spends on health care each year, but primary care receives less than 5% of those funds. With that in mind, the AAFP urged Congress to improve patients’ access and costs by making primary care affordable, supporting...
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.