A Novel Longitudinal Training Experience in Obesity Medicine for Internal Medicine Residents

<b>Background</b> Treatment of obesity is a public health priority. However, little training in obesity medicine is currently integrated into residency programs. We integrated a 12-month obesity medicine training experience within a New York internal medicine residency program. <b>Objective</b> We describe the structure, feasibility and acceptability, resident assessments, and patient weight loss outcomes of an optional longitudinal obesity medicine training experience for internal medicine residents. <b>Methods</b> Between July 2016 and June 2021, 26 second-year residents participated in the 12-month program, which comprised 10 educational/clinical sessions overseen by obesity medicine attendings. Residents completed baseline and post-program 5-point surveys of knowledge, competence, and attitudes. Differences at 12 months were analyzed using paired <i>t</i> tests. Resident patient weight loss was analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. <b>Results</b> The training experience was successfully integrated over the study period and remains ongoing at present, demonstrating feasibility and acceptability. Fourteen of 26 (54%) residents completed post-program surveys. Significant improvements in all measures of knowledge and competence were seen. The greatest improvements were in comfort discussing weight loss with patients (+1.1; 95% CI 0.8-1.5; <i>P</i><.001) and prescribing weight loss medications (+1.4; 95% CI 1.1-1.6; <i>P</i><.001). The 98 patients seen by residents lost an average of 4.5 kilograms (95% CI 3.0-6.0; <i>P</i><.001). <b>Conclusions</b> The training experience was feasible and acceptable, and demonstrated improvements in resident outcomes and patient weight.