Obesity communication among patients by health professionals: Findings from the Weight Care Project

Abstract

Obesity is on the increase worldwide and is a major global public health problem. In an increasingly obesogenic environment, it's important that health professionals are equipped to identify and address obesity issues within their clinical practice. As part of the Weight Care Project, the aim of this study was to explore the obesity-related communication issues for primary care and community-based health professionals. The study design was a quantitative survey, which was completed by 382 primary care and community-based health professionals across Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland working with adults and children. Key findings included that the majority of the health professionals (86%) recognized having a role in giving obesity advice, acknowledged that in clinical practice communication of obesity messages is both complex and challenging (81%), and reported difficulty in sensitively addressing obesity issues (27%). The health professionals surveyed stated that they communicate obesity messages to their patients using a range of different methods, mainly verbally to individuals, leaflets and factsheets. Numerous benefits of communicating obesity messages were reported; the main one was interacting with patients to build trust. Identified barriers to communication were: limited time in patient consultations, restricted access to appropriate information, and not sure where to access appropriate resources. Communication needed be reported by the health professionals included provision of greater resources, more information on obesity management and prevention, followed by health communication training, and clear and consistent messages. Significant differences were observed, including significantly much younger health professionals considered their role to provide obesity advice (P = 0.025). It is clear from this study that health professionals view as important the need to be given information on "what" and "how" to communicate with their patients on obesity. This study highlights that health professionals need continued support to enable them to effectively address weight-related issues in a sensitive manner that is acceptable to the patient.

Predictors of weight loss outcomes in obesity care: results of the national ACTION study

“…Having regular discussions with PwO about their weight and weight management efforts is an important factor in effective obesity management [24, 25]. Understanding that PwO tend to seek care from their HCP only after their own self-management attempts have failed, as seen in this study, could help address and reduce stigma and bias in treating PwO.…”

Implications of differing attitudes and experiences between providers and persons with obesity: results of the national ACTION study

“…Despite HCPs reporting being comfortable discussing weight management and doing so regularly with their patients with obesity, there is a lack of concordance between HCPs and PwO in the quality of weight management conversations. The way HCPs communicate with their patients can be an important factor in effectively managing obesity [12,42,43].…”

“…Obesity is a chronic, serious, and progressive disease associated with adverse health, social, and economic consequences [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]; however, several potential barriers to effectively treating obesity exist. People with obesity (PwO) are often associated with undesirable attitudes and stereotypes which have far-reaching adverse effects, including discrimination and prejudice in employment and educational settings, in close relationships, and during patient and healthcare provider (HCP) interactions [9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. This weight stigma is present even in health care settings where it affects quality of care through shorter appointment times, less discussion with patients, and fewer interventions [16,17].…”

WeightMentor: A New Automated Chatbot for Weight Loss Maintenance

“…Chatbots are emerging as the new face of human computer interaction and given the limited research into the use of technology for weight loss maintenance, may take these types of technologies in a new direction. This project will solve the problems of variability, personalisation and automation associated with traditional forms of motivational message and also that described by Moorhead et al, 2013, of reluctance of health professionals to discuss obesity and weight loss with their patients.…”

“…Misleading diet information and reluctance of health professionals to discuss what is seen as a sensitive subject lead to further difficulties (Moorhead et al 2013).…”