Hope for the future?

[Fruitandnutcase]

Just got this from Dr Chatterjee, just imagine if it catches on and more doctors become aware of the value of nutrition.

I am delighted to share some exciting news with you. As you know, I am passionate about progressing the way we practice medicine.

My dream is that all patients will be helped to get to the root cause of their problems and have the opportunity to experience the benefits of specific, personalised lifestyle interventions.

One of the big problems is that there is no real formal training available for doctors about the power and application of lifestyle medicine. I want to change that.

Exactly one year ago, I was co-signatory on a letter to the General Medical Council asking for mandatory training in nutrition for all doctors and medical students. My interview on BBC Television can be seen here.

I am pleased to announce that we are making slow but steady progress. Over the past few months, I have been working on a ‘lifestyle medicine’ educational course for UK doctors. I am pleased to announce that the Royal College of General Practitioners has just given it their formal accreditation.

Next year, on 20th January, the very first UK ‘Prescribing Lifestyle Medicine’ course will run. Doctors will gain official educational credits for attending.

This course will be run with an NHS colleague of mine, Dr. Ayan Panja, in partnership with Clinical Education. You can find out more details of the course here. This course goes far beyond basic diet and lifestyle advice and is designed to be deliverable in an NHS setting. Training in this field has been inadequate for far too long.

Please consider forwarding this e-mail to anyone you feel may benefit and perhaps even consider sharing with your doctor.

Wishing you the best of health,

Dr. Chatterjee.

The links don’t seem to have copied over so here is a link to his website, I’m sure it will be mentioned there too

drchatterjee.com/?utm_sourc...

[ellj]

That is a very good step in the right direction. I for one will be sharing this with the GP who recently told me that there is ongoing research beginning to show that taking vitamins and minerals may mean you are more likely to have cancer !

One slight worry though is the statement that " a course will run on Jan 20th " also that " Doctors will gain a certificate for attending. "

Is this a 1 day course ? Gaining a certificate for attending worries me too as in my past life working in the NHS I was often given certificates for attending courses without any attempt to find out if I had listened or learned anything.

We can but live in hope and all power to drs like Dr Chaterjee.

[greygoose in reply to ellj]

I share your concerns. Just sounds to me like something else they can misunderstand and give bad advice on.

[ITYFIALMCTT]

ellj It looks like a 1 day masterclass that will wholly equip them for prescribing lifestyle change and furnish them with a certificate of attendance:

rcgp.org.uk/learning/rcgp-e...

Who knew it was all so easy to learn in a day?

[ellj in reply to ITYFIALMCTT]

Just as I teared then. No long term or even medium term committment from gp,s just get your practice to pay for a day out

[Fruitandnutcase]

I know what you mean but one day has to be better than no days and hopefully those who go will be so inspired by Dr C that they want to find out a lot more.

[Northie]

As Was said in the fellowship of the rings by Tolkien.....even the smallest person can change the fate of the world.......ahem.....or something like that. Perhaps one person giving a toss about it may lead to 2....or 3? I’m keeping hopeful, unlike my hope in my friend letting me have a bite of her Maltese bunny before the film starts...now that is a lost cause! Lol....

Wishing you all well. X

[ickihun]

I think it's a start.

Young people now are very much interested in nutrition so new young drs may be too!

Any interest or common understanding with patients has to be a good thing, right?