Annual ECHO OBN Curriculum
Outline of session topics for the 2026 year
Regional Case-Based Session Topics
Modern GLP Therapy & Bariatric Surgery: Two pillars of care, working together
- Describe pharmacological options for obesity that are available in Canada
- Understand practical considerations for prescribing obesity medications including their side effect profile, efficacy and indication for treatment
- Review how to apply GLP therapy alongside bariatric surgery
Understanding Mental Health Impacts on Bariatric Surgery Patients
- Describe common mental health concerns in obesity care as experienced by bariatric surgery patients
- Initiate a psychosocial assessment and the use of psychiatric medications, while understanding their impact on obesity care
- Describe how OARS (a motivational interviewing technique) can be used to engage your patients
- Identify psychological and behavioural interventions used in obesity care
Postoperative Care of the Bariatric Surgical Patient and Complications
- Describe components of the OBN bariatric surgical program, the types of surgery, resulting anatomical changes and expected patient outcomes.
- Assess for common complications following bariatric surgery.
- Identify when a referral back to the BCoE is indicated.
Dealing with Major Nutritional Deficiencies within Bariatric Care
- Describe common vitamin and mineral deficiencies before and after bariatric surgery
- Introduce the management of vitamin and mineral deficiencies before and after bariatric surgery
- Describe strategies to prevent iron deficiency after bariatric surgery
- Appraise treatment options, including oral iron supplements and IV iron infusions
Not completely in Remission? How to treat Co-morbidities after Bariatric Surgery
- Describe anatomical and physiological changes after bariatric surgery and how this may alter medication absorption
- Describe medication and therapy changes for common comorbidities
- Describe the impact of bariatric surgery on the absorption of commonly-used medication
Weight Trajectories after Bariatric Surgery: Normal vs. Concerning
- Review the adult weight trajectory
- Post-surgery weight recurrence: incidence and definition
- Learn the causes of weight recurrence and predictors of weight gain
- Primary Care Toolbox – therapies available to primary care
- Go through example calculations
Beyond the Prescription: Managing Obesity Medications Effectively
- Describe how to assess hypoglycemia and differentiate between reactive hypoglycemia, inadequate nutrition and more rare causes such as insulinoma
- Apply evidence-based practices in the management of hypoglycemia and other complications in the post-bariatric surgery patient
- Dietary
- Pharmacological
- Surgical
