Background
The Advanced Obesity Counselling Certification (AOCC), previously known as the Diploma in Counselling in Obesity Management, is specifically designed to advance the expertise of healthcare professionals in obesity counselling. It offers essential training in behavioural change strategies, providing tools and resources that enable professionals to respectfully and sensitively counsel patients living with obesity. The AOCC aims to enhance the standard and approach to care for individuals dealing with obesity, integrating seamlessly into existing healthcare practices.
The Problem
Previous attempts to deliver the AOCC course online were met with limited success due to the complexity and specificity of course requirements. The program combines synchronous and asynchronous learning and necessitates video role-play sessions that students perform in pairs, which faculty must then assess. Additionally, the system required sophisticated access controls accommodating multiple user roles, including:
- Students, with potential upgrades to Faculty.
- Faculty with varying privileges (some permitted to grade homework, others with no grading rights).
- Super Faculty, capable of supporting and upgrading regular Faculty.
- Admin, responsible for system setup and overall course management.
No off-the-shelf Learning Management System (LMS) available could adequately address these unique and nuanced demands.
The Solution
A bespoke, fully tailored LMS was developed specifically for AOCC. Key features included:
- An interactive virtual classroom enabling both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded) course delivery.
- Web-based video role-play homework with dual-user real-time recording capabilities.
- Integrated evaluation question builder for creating assessments.
- Detailed homework submission and grading workflow tailored specifically to faculty needs.
- Scheduling and recording tools allowing students to conduct video role-plays independently or with partners.
Outcomes
The bespoke LMS solution successfully met all course requirements, enhancing student interaction and learning experience. The first cohort of 20 participants has nearly completed the program with highly positive feedback, confirming the effectiveness of the system.
Next Steps
A second phase of development has recently concluded, introducing the Asynchronous Awareness+ course. Scheduled for release in early spring 2025, this additional course is designed to encourage enrollment into the comprehensive AOCC program, further expanding professional training and reinforcing sustainable behavioural change strategies in obesity management.
“When we first started working together More Time To was just looking after our Learning Management System, but they have taken over all of our websites now. Having Chris onboard has increased my capacity. He’s like a duplication of me!”
“The benefits of working with More Time To are fast response, technical reliability, and knowledge of the healthcare area involved. Chris picks up mistakes in things, he’s not just a machine that will take what he is given, he will apply his knowledge and sense.”
Obesity UK
