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 9, 2026

Expiration Date:  September 9, 2026

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

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 4.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
 

Other Credits

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Program accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society.


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 4.75 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.
 

DISCLOSURE OF UNLABELED USE
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.
 

DISCLAIMER
The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center, RealCME, and Takeda. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
 

METHOD OF PARTICIPATION/INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO RECEIVE CREDIT

Estimated time to complete this activity: 4.75 hours

To obtain credit, a score of 70% or better on the Final Assessment is required. This activity is offered at no cost to participants. Please proceed with the activity until you have successfully completed this curriculum, answered all test questions, completed the Final Assessment, Post Group Assessment, and evaluation, and have received a digital copy of your credit certificate.

• Baseline/Final Assessments: 30 minutes each for a total of up to 1.00 hour of CME
• Three (3) Self-Study Modules: 15 minutes each for a total of up to 0.75 hours of CME
• Two (2) Live Group Discussions: 45 minutes each for a total of up to 1.50 hour of CME
• Two (2) Group Challenges: 30 minutes each for a total of up to 1.00 hour of CME
• Action Plan development: 30 minutes for a total of 0.50 hours of CME

If you are seeking credit, you must complete the assessment and evaluation at the conclusion of the activity. Your certificate can be printed immediately.

PRIVACY STATEMENT
Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center, Center for Continuing Professional Development (Einstein-Montefiore) protects the privacy of personal and other information regarding participants and education collaborators. Einstein-Montefiore will not release personally identifiable information to a third party without the individual’s consent, except such information as is required for reporting to the ACCME. Einstein-Montefiore maintains physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal regulations to protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of information collected from you.

COLLECTION AND USE OF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
The submission of certain personally identifiable information is necessary to award and track the credits participants may earn after completing an activity. Required items include first name, last name, middle initial, degree, email address, address and phone number. These items are necessary. Participants are also required to complete an evaluation of each activity. All evaluative information submitted is collected, retained, and used by Einstein-Montefiore to continuously improve the learning experience. Einstein-Montefiore will not transfer, sell, or share personal information with outside parties or otherwise disclose personal information unless required to in a legal process. Einstein-Montefiore will retain your personal data only for the period necessary to accomplish the stated purposes and to comply with applicable laws.

CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions regarding CME credit, contact Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center at cme@montefiore.org.

For technical questions related to this activity, please contact support@gathered.com.