Understanding Obesity: From Stigma to Surgery

Understanding Obesity: From Stigma to Surgery is organized by Duke Surgery Office of Continuing Medical Education (CME) and will be held from Nov 08 - 14, 2026 at The Umstead Hotel and Spa, Cary, North Carolina, United States of America.

Course Description:
The United States population increasingly meets the criteria for obesity. In recent years, new options for treatment have developed, and more patients are seeking support from their healthcare providers. As a result, front-line providers are tasked more frequently with assessing treatment options and managing patients with obesity. Multidisciplinary treatment requires cooperation and integration of all relevant disciplines and specialties, which are critical to provide excellent patient care, improve the patient experience, and achieve better outcomes. Understanding Obesity: From Stigma to Surgery will provide valuable information on available treatment options, including diet, psychology, medication, and surgical options. Attendees will gain an understanding of empathetic and non-judgmental approaches to patient care and will learn the impact of the interrelationship between obesity and associated health issues.

Learning Objectives:
After attending this program, participants should be able to:

• Define the available treatment options for obesity, including behavioral and lifestyle change management, medication management, and surgical management
• Outline a best-practice approach for evaluation and the utilization of the different treatments described for obesity
• Identify patient characteristics that define the ideal candidate for the different treatment options presented