Online Pre-Course Workshops

weight managementMind Body Approaches to Weight Management
Under the direction of Chika Anekwe, MD, MPH and Shalu Ramchandani, MD
Wednesday, October 30, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
ONLINE, LIVE STREAMING


Weight regulation involves intricate biological and physiological processes. Traditional methods for managing weight encompass advocating for physical activity, balanced nutrition, pharmacotherapy, and surgical interventions for eligible individuals. This workshop delves into the myriad ways in which chronic stress can influence weight regulation. Psychosocial stress, often underestimated, significantly affects self-care practices, thereby predisposing individuals to noncommunicable diseases such as obesity. Mind Body Medicine uses evidence-based effects of thoughts, beliefs, behaviors, and emotions to promote health and reduce stress. 

In this course, you will explore:

  • Epidemiological and pathophysiological evidence regarding obesity as a chronic disease and the mechanisms underlying body weight regulation.
  • Biological targets and mechanisms involved in pharmacotherapeutic approaches to treating obesity.
  • The significance of regular physical activity, nutritious diet, and restorative sleep in weight regulation.
  • The detrimental effects of chronic stress on metabolism and weight regulation, manifested through maladaptive behaviors, altered self-regulation, and physiological changes.
  • Personal testimonials illustrating the impact of the Benson Henry Institute’s Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART) Program on patients’ ability to enhance their self-care practices.

Schedule: Weight Management

Live Streaming in US Eastern Daylight Time
9:00 am
Overview of Obesity: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Pharmacotherapy, and Medications

Chika Anekwe, MD, MPH

9:50 am
Optimizing Weight Management: The Role of Physical Activity, Sleep, and Nutrition

Shalu Ramchandani, MD

10:40 am
Break
10:50 am
Unpacking the Weight: Exploring the Link between Chronic Stress and Obesity

Peg Baim, MS, NP

11:30 am
Panel Discussion: Patients’ Perspectives on Mind Body Techniques for Self-Care

Chika Anekwe, MD, MPH; Shalu Ramchandani, MD; Peg Baim, MS, NP

12:00 pm
Online Pre-Course Workshop Ends

group visitsGroup Medical Visits to Guide Patients to Healthier Lifestyle Behaviors
Under the direction of Jacob Mirsky, MD, FACLM
Wednesday, October 30, 1:00 – 4:00 pm
ONLINE, LIVE STREAMING

 

Group medical visits—both in-office and online—are becoming increasingly popular tools in primary care and specialty practices to help patients make healthy lifestyle changes for:

  • Symptom and chronic disease management
  • Disease prevention

This special online pre-course workshop provides a practical, evidence-based introduction to group medical visits. Unique to this program is its immersive, fast-paced, 360-degree educational experience. You will learn about how group medical visits can promote health from four critical perspectives:

  • Clinical
  • Patient
  • Provider
  • Practice

EDUCATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Clinical Perspectives

  • Types of conditions that are appropriate for group medical visits
  • Considerations of population and cultural factors in running group medical visits
  • Impact of group medical visits on patient outcomes
  • Connection between stress and chronic conditions and its role of group medical visit

Patient Perspectives

  • What a group visit looks like for a patient
  • Patient perspectives on group medical visits
  • Strategies for encouraging patients to join group medical visits

Provider Perspectives

  • How a provider can run group medical visits in practice
  • Impact of group medical visits on provider satisfaction and burnout

Practice Perspectives

  • Length and structure of a group visit
  • Strategies for training providers to run group medical visits
  • Nuts and bolts of billing and documentation
  • Staffing needed to support group medical visits
  • Resources and references

Schedule: Group Medical Visits

Live Streaming in US Eastern Daylight Time
1:00 pm
Welcome and History of Group Medical Visits

Jacob Mirsky, MD, FACLM

1:25 pm
Clinical Considerations and Benefits for Putting Group Medical Visits into Practice

Jacob Mirsky, MD, FACLM and Amy Comander, MD

2:00 pm
Administration and Billing of Group Medical Visits

Barbara Canada, MBA

2:15 pm
Break
2:30 pm
Virtual Group Medical Visits in the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Healthy Lifestyle Program: Patient and Provider Perspectives

Jacob Mirsky, MD, FACLM and Chin Ho Fung, MD

2:55 pm
Logistics and Tips for Running a Group Medical Visit

Katherine Rosa, PhD, FNP-BC

3:10 pm
Q&A and Panel Discussion: Invaluable Lessons Learned through Our Experience of Group Medical Visits across MGH

Katherine Rosa, PhD, FNP-BC; Amy Comander, MD; Chin Ho Fung, MD; Barbara Canada, MBA; and Jacob Mirsky, MD, FACLM

4:00 pm
Online Pre-Course Workshop concludes

PLEASE NOTE

  • These programs will be recorded and made available online for registrants of each pre-course workshop to view at their convenience for 60 days
  • These online pre-course workshops are only available to participants of THE HERBERT BENSON, MD COURSE in MIND BODY MEDICINE (October 31–November 2, 2024)
  • To optimize the value of these workshops for each participant, registrations will be limited and accepted on a first-come, first-served basis
  • To be assured a place in either program, early registration is advised

Workshop Directors

Chika V. Anekwe, MD, MPH
Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School 
Diplomate, American Board of Obesity Medicine
Preventive Medicine and Obesity Medicine Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital 
President and Founder, New England Obesity Society

Shalu Ramchandani, MD 
Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School 
Diplomate, American Board of Obesity Medicine
Staff Physician, Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine 
Massachusetts General Hospital

Jacob Mirsky, MD, FACLM
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Staff Physician, Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine
Medical Director, Division of General Internal Medicine Healthy Lifestyle Program 
Massachusetts General Hospital