Specialty Specific Guidance: An Endocrinologist's Guide to Using GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Patients Living with Obesity or Overweight to Help Optimize Their Metabolic Health
Weight Management0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ™
January 23, 2026
January 23, 2027
Primary Audience:
Endocrinologists
Relevant Terms:
Tiffany N. Lowe Clayton, DO, FOMA, DABOM, MHPE
Vice-Chair, Dept. Family Medicine
Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Bariatrician WakeMed Bariatric Surgery
and Medical Weight Loss
Cary, North Carolina
Tiffany N. Lowe Clayton, (a.k.a Dr. TLC), is an assistant professor and director of clinical education at Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lillington, North Carolina. She is also an obesity medicine specialist at WakeMed Bariatric Surgery and Medical Weight Loss, with practices in both Cary and Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. Additionally, she is the Founder and CEO of the Institute of Transformational Health and Wellness, Inc. in Wendell, North Carolina. She earned her medical degree in 2000 from Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, New Jersey, where she also completed an internship and residency in family medicine in 2003. A consummate teacher at heart, Dr. TLC is the author of the best-selling book, “A Woman’s Guide to De-Stress for Success: 10 Essential Tips to Conquer Stress and Live At Your Best.” In her personal life, Dr. TLC is a devoted wife, mother, and “Glamma.” She enjoys spending time with her family as well as traveling, singing and recreational boxing.
Megha Poddar MD, FRCPC, ABOM
Medical Director, Medical Weight Management
Center of Canada
Assistant Professor (Adjunct) McMaster University
Hamilton, ON
Dr. Megha Poddar is an endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist in Canada with extensive experience leading clinical and educational initiatives in metabolic health. She serves as Medical Director of an interdisciplinary national obesity program that integrates behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy, and she is a co-author of the 2025 Canadian Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines and the global ICHOM obesity data set standardized PROMs. Dr. Poddar is a global thought leader in advancing access to evidence-based obesity care, with a focus on integrating GLP-1 therapies into specialty practice. At nymble Health, she is developing innovative digital platforms to support patient education, adherence, and long-term outcomes.
Neil Skolnik, MD
Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Thomas Jefferson University
Associate Director
Family Medicine Residency Program
Jefferson Health - Abington
Dr. Neil Skolnik, MD, is a Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and Associate Director of the Family Medicine Residency Program at Jefferson Health - Abington. Dr. Skolnik has written and edited 6 books and has published more than 500 articles, columns, poems, essays and webinars in both the medical and lay literature including publications in JAMA, JAMA Internal Medicine, Annals of Internal Medicine, Circulation, Medscape, Philadelphia Inquirer and USA Today. He has served on the Expert Panel Report 4 (EPR-4) Working Group, National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Coordinating Committee, National Heart Lung Blood Institute (NHLBI) – the committee that developed the 2020 NIH Asthma Guidelines. He hosts and produces “Diabetes Core Update,” the American Diabetes Association’s official monthly podcast that reviews the most important new articles to come out in the diabetes literature every month, as well as “Diabetes Day by Day”, the ADA’s podcast for people with diabetes. He tries to make sure that each day he spends at least 30 minutes playing the guitar and, to the chagrin of his wife, singing.
| 1. | UNDERSTAND the clinical benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists for obesity and its related comorbidities. | 2. | IDENTIFY and MANAGE the adverse event profiles associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists using evidence-based strategies. |
| 3. | DEVELOP patient-centered strategies to educate patients about the benefits, risks, and expectations of GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy. | 4. | IMPLEMENT follow-up protocols to monitor patient progress, manage side effects, and improve adherence to GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy. |
| 5. | DESCRIBE how GLP-1 receptor agonists align with specialty-specific care priorities, such as metabolic control. | 6. | INDIVIDUALIZE counseling and management approaches for GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy to address endocrinology-specific patient needs, such as diabetes. |
| 1. | UNDERSTAND the clinical benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists for obesity and its related comorbidities. |
| 2. | IDENTIFY and MANAGE the adverse event profiles associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists using evidence-based strategies. |
| 3. | DEVELOP patient-centered strategies to educate patients about the benefits, risks, and expectations of GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy. |
| 4. | IMPLEMENT follow-up protocols to monitor patient progress, manage side effects, and improve adherence to GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy. |
| 5. | DESCRIBE how GLP-1 receptor agonists align with specialty-specific care priorities, such as metabolic control. |
| 6. | INDIVIDUALIZE counseling and management approaches for GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy to address endocrinology-specific patient needs, such as diabetes. |
TITLE
Specialty Specific Guidance: An Endocrinologist’s Guide for Using GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Patients Living with Obesity or Overweight to Help Optimize Their Metabolic Health
PROGRAM PARTNERS
This activity is jointly provided by Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical, the Obesity Medicine Association and RealCME
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT
This activity is supported by an educational grant from Novo Nordisk
Release Date: January 23, 2026
Expiration Date: January 23, 2027
STATEMENT OF NEED
With their focus on hormonal disorders including diabetes and obesity, endocrinologists are uniquely positioned to integrate GLP-1 RAs into clinical practice for weight management. A recent survey of healthcare professionals (HCPs) prescribing anti-obesity medications (AOMs) found significantly higher familiarity with GLP-1 RAs among endocrinologists (87.9%) compared to primary care providers (PCPs) (59.8%) and advanced practice providers (APPs) (46.9%). Endocrinologists also recommended AOMs to a higher percentage of patients living with obesity (57.2%) compared to PCPs (43.0%) and APPs (46.4%). Yet despite this greater familiarity and higher prescription rates, significant gaps remain in obesity care within endocrinology practice. Even among endocrinologists prescribing AOMs, only 57.2% of their patients with obesity and 69.7% of those with both obesity and T2D were recommended these medications.
Multiple barriers contribute to this underutilization. Most significantly, cost and lack of insurance coverage were identified as substantial or extreme barriers to treatment by over 80% of endocrinologists. The prior authorization process is often burdensome and time-consuming, leading to practice inefficiencies and potential prescription abandonment. Additionally, while endocrinologists are more knowledgeable about GLP-1 RAs, they reported significantly less familiarity with emerging dual-agonist therapies like GIP receptor agonists, with only 49.8% reporting high familiarity.
Endocrinologists may also face clinical decision-making challenges regarding which patients would benefit most from GLP-1 RAs beyond those with T2D. While most recognize benefits for patients with metabolic conditions (T2D, pre-diabetes, metabolic syndrome), fewer perceive benefits for non-cardiometabolic complications of obesity such as sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. This suggests potential gaps in understanding the comprehensive benefits of these medications across the spectrum of obesity-related complications.
Patient adherence to GLP-1 RAs presents another challenge, with discontinuation rates ranging from 46.5% at one year for patients with T2D to 64.8% for those without T2D. Weight loss effectiveness and gastrointestinal side effects significantly influence adherence. Endocrinologists must develop strategies to support patients through the initial adjustment period and monitor for adequate response to optimize long-term adherence.
Some endocrinologists may still prioritize metformin for weight management in patients with T2D. While 18% of endocrinologists reported prescribing metformin as first-line treatment for obesity in patients with T2D (compared to 43% of PCPs), this represents a potential missed opportunity as metformin produces only modest weight loss compared to GLP-1 RAs.
The rapidly evolving landscape of obesity pharmacotherapy requires continuous education. With new dual-agonist therapies and evolving understanding of mechanisms of action, endocrinologists need regular updates to optimize prescribing practices. Additionally, guidance on identifying appropriate candidates, managing expectations, addressing side effects, and supporting long-term adherence is crucial to maximize treatment effectiveness.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
- UNDERSTAND the clinical benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists for obesity and its related comorbidities.
- IDENTIFY and MANAGE the adverse event profiles associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists using evidence-based strategies.
- DEVELOP patient-centered strategies to educate patients about the benefits, risks, and expectations of GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy.
- IMPLEMENT follow-up protocols to monitor patient progress, manage side effects, and improve adherence to GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy.
- DESCRIBE how GLP-1 receptor agonists align with specialty-specific care priorities, such as metabolic control.
- INDIVIDUALIZE counseling and management approaches for GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy to address endocrinology-specific patient needs, such as diabetes.
TARGET AUDIENCE
Endocrinologists
FACULTY
|
| Megha Poddar MD, FRCPC, ABOM Medical Director, Medical Weight Management |
| Disclosure(s): | Megha Poddar, MD, received honoraria and consulting fees for serving as an advisor and speaker from Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Bausch Health. The business lines and/or products of Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Bausch Health are relevant to the content of Dr. Poddar’s presentation. |
|
| Neil Skolnik, MD Professor of Family and Community Medicine |
| Disclosure(s): | Neil Skolnik, MD, received honoraria for serving as a researcher, consultant, speaker, and advisory committee member for AstraZeneca; as a researcher, speaker, and advisory committee member for GlaxoSmithKline; as an advisory board member for Abbott; as a consultant and speaker for Heartland Food Group; for consulting services from Sanofi and Sanofi Pasteur; as a speaker and advisory committee member for Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk; and as a speaker for Teva and Takeda. The financial relationship with Astellas has ended. The business lines and/or products of AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Heartland Food Group are relevant to the content of Dr. Skolnik’s presentation. |
|
| Tiffany N. Lowe Clayton, DO, FOMA, DABOM, MHPE |
| Disclosure(s): | Tiffany N. Lowe Clayton, DO, DABOM, MHPE, received consultant fees for serving on the speakers’ bureaus of Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. The business lines and/or products of Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are relevant to the content of Dr. Clayton’s presentation. |
CONTENT REVIEWER
Sara Velayati, MD, DABOM
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine (Endocrinology)
Montefiore Medical Center
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx, NY
Sara Velayati, MD, has no relevant financial relationships with ACCME-defined ineligible companies during the past 24 months.
PLANNERS
Steven Haimowitz, MD
RealCME
Steven Haimowitz, MD, has no relevant financial relationships with ACCME-defined ineligible companies during the past 24 months.
Erin Ash, MD
RealCME
Erin Ash, MD, has no relevant financial relationships with ACCME-defined ineligible companies during the past 24 months.
DISCLOSURE OF FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS
The “Policy on Identification, Mitigation, and Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships” of Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center requires that any individual in control of content, including faculty, participating in CME activities disclose to the audience all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies* in the past 24 months. Any individual in control of content who refuses to disclose, or whose disclosed relationships prove to create a conflict of interest, will be recused.
Individuals with the absence of relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies will be disclosed to the audience.
All financial relationships of individuals in a position to control the content of this CME activity are identified and mitigated prior to the educational activity.
*The ACCME defines an ineligible company as those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
PROVIDERSHIP
This educational activity is jointly provided by Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center, the Obesity Medicine Association and RealCME.
ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center and RealCME, LLC. Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT
Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center designates this other/blended activity for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Other Credits
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American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Program
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 0.75 Medical Knowledge MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.
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This activity may or may not discuss investigational, unapproved, or off-label use of drugs. Participants are advised to consult prescribing information for any products discussed. The information provided in this CME activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical judgment of a clinician relative to diagnostic and treatment options for a specific patient’s medical condition.
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METHOD OF PARTICIPATION/INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO RECEIVE CREDIT
Estimated time to complete this activity: 0.75 hours
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CONTACT INFORMATION
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COURSE VIEWING REQUIREMENTS
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