The Role of Obesity Training in Medical School and Residency on Bariatric Surgery Knowledge in Primary Care Physicians

Abstract

Objective. US primary care physicians are inadequately educated on how to provide obesity treatment. We sought to assess physician training in obesity and to characterize the perceptions, beliefs, knowledge, and treatment patterns of primary care physicians. Methods. We administered a cross-sectional web-based survey from July to October 2014 to adult primary care physicians in practices affiliated with the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). We evaluated survey respondent demographics, personal health habits, obesity training, knowledge of bariatric surgery care, perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs regarding the etiology of obesity and treatment strategies. Results. Younger primary care physicians (age 20–39) were more likely to have received some obesity training than those aged 40–49 (OR: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.008–0.822) or those 50+ (OR: 0.03, 95% CI: 0.004–0.321). Physicians who were young, had obesity, or received obesity education in medical school or postgraduate training were more likely to answer bariatric surgery knowledge questions correctly. Conclusions. There is a need for educational programs to improve physician knowledge and competency in treating patients with obesity. Obesity is a complex chronic disease, and it is important for clinicians to be equipped with the knowledge of the multiple treatment modalities that may be considered to help their patients achieve a healthy weight.

Improving obesity management training in family medicine: multi-methods evaluation of the 5AsT-MD pilot course

“…One of the challenges for effective obesity counselling is that medical residents and students do not receive sufficient training on the complex biopsychosocial etiology of obesity and evidence-based management strategies, and these topics are not well covered in medical exams [18][19][20][21][22]. A recent review concluded that across the world there is a paucity of obesity education programs for learners in health professions [23].…”

A pilot study of primary care physicians’ attitude to weight loss surgery in England: are the young more prejudiced?

“…Evidence suggests that many primary care physicians (PCPs) have pessimistic attitudes towards treating obesity (4) . This may be related to poor understanding of WLS surgery (5) and a lack of confidence in providing post-operative management (6) . There is however limited data on this subject, and most studies examining the attitudes of PCPs have taken place in the USA, with none to date from the UK.…”

Biobehavioural approaches to prevention and treatment: A call for implementation science in obesity research

“…The asthma care model includes components that may serve to guide our approach to understanding and treating obesity. For example, physicians are trained to treat asthma in medical school, but physicians often have little formal training in the aetiology of obesity or how to treat it . Thus, providers report a lack of confidence in discussing weight management with patients despite a large evidence base .…”

“…For example, physicians are trained to treat asthma in medical school, but physicians often have little formal training in the aetiology of obesity or how to treat it. 48 Thus, providers report a lack of confidence in discussing weight management with patients 49 despite a large evidence base. 50 Obesity treatment is not often mentioned as part of a routine patient visit despite obesity diagnosis.…”