Background

Background: Advanced practice provider (APP) fellowship programs are increasing to train APPs for specialty practice. The obesity pandemic has elevated the need for APPs, including nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs), specializing in obesity medicine. Obesity-specific education in both NP and PA graduate programs is lacking. Objective: Implement a 12-month APP fellowship program in a weight loss center to foster well-equipped trainees and contribute to the expanding demand for obesity treatment.

Methods

Using evidence-based data regarding best practice in obesity medicine, and standards outlined by ANCC’s Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP) and Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship Accreditation (APPFA), we developed the curriculum for a medical and surgical weight loss APP fellowship program in a comprehensive academic weight loss clinic. The curriculum involves didactic work, mentored clinical rotations, and leadership development. The fellow has exposure to all areas of obesity treatment, including outpatient services and procedures, inpatient services, and the operating room. Training is under an interdisciplinary team of preceptors, including nurses, bariatric surgeons, pharmacists, social workers, dietitians, bariatricians, and APPs.

Results

After completion of the APP fellowship focused on medical and surgical practices, the APP fellow developed the knowledge and skills to immediately function as an independent, full-time obesity medicine APP.

Conclusions

APP fellowships are useful for training APPs in specialty practice. Given the increased need for obesity medicine providers, APP fellowships can help fulfill this demand. This program provides the APP fellow with necessary tools to practice obesity medicine within a specialty clinic or primary care practice.