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Weight's up? Predictors of weight-related communication during primary care visits with overweight adolescents.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Pollak, KI; Coffman, CJ; Alexander, SC; Østbye, T; Lyna, P; Tulsky, JA; Bilheimer, A; Dolor, RJ; Lin, P-H; Bodner, ME; Bravender, T
Published in: Patient Educ Couns
September 2014

OBJECTIVE: Physicians' use of Motivational Interviewing (MI) techniques when discussing weight with adolescent patients is unknown. METHODS: We coded audio-recorded encounters between 49 primary care physicians and 180 overweight adolescent patients. During weight discussions, we used the MITI 3.0 to assess: Empathy, MI Spirit, open-ended questions, reflections, MI consistent behaviors (e.g., praising) and MI inconsistent behaviors (e.g., confronting). We examined associations of patient and physician characteristics with (1) MI techniques, (2) time discussing weight, and (3) encounter time. RESULTS: Physicians used more MI consistent techniques with female patients (p=0.06) and with heavier patients (p=0.02). Physicians with prior MI training also used more MI consistent techniques (p=0.04) and asked more open-ended questions (p=0.05). Pediatricians had a higher MI Spirit score than family physicians (p=0.03). Older patient age was associated with physicians spending less time discussing weight-related topics (p=0.04) and higher BMI percentile was associated with physicians spending more time discussing weight-related topics (p=0.01). Increased use of MI inconsistent techniques was associated with longer encounters (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Physicians' weight discussions vary based on adolescent and physician characteristics. Importantly, not using MI lengthened encounter time. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Physicians might consider using MI techniques more and attempt to use these equally with all adolescents.

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Published In

Patient Educ Couns

DOI

EISSN

1873-5134

Publication Date

September 2014

Volume

96

Issue

3

Start / End Page

327 / 332

Location

Ireland

Related Subject Headings

  • Weight Loss
  • Tape Recording
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Public Health
  • Primary Health Care
  • Physicians, Primary Care
  • Physicians, Family
  • Obesity
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Male
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
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Pollak, K. I., Coffman, C. J., Alexander, S. C., Østbye, T., Lyna, P., Tulsky, J. A., … Bravender, T. (2014). Weight's up? Predictors of weight-related communication during primary care visits with overweight adolescents. Patient Educ Couns, 96(3), 327–332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2014.07.025
Pollak, Kathryn I., Cynthia J. Coffman, Stewart C. Alexander, Truls Østbye, Pauline Lyna, James A. Tulsky, Alicia Bilheimer, et al. “Weight's up? Predictors of weight-related communication during primary care visits with overweight adolescents.Patient Educ Couns 96, no. 3 (September 2014): 327–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2014.07.025.
Pollak KI, Coffman CJ, Alexander SC, Østbye T, Lyna P, Tulsky JA, et al. Weight's up? Predictors of weight-related communication during primary care visits with overweight adolescents. Patient Educ Couns. 2014 Sep;96(3):327–32.
Pollak, Kathryn I., et al. “Weight's up? Predictors of weight-related communication during primary care visits with overweight adolescents.Patient Educ Couns, vol. 96, no. 3, Sept. 2014, pp. 327–32. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.pec.2014.07.025.
Pollak KI, Coffman CJ, Alexander SC, Østbye T, Lyna P, Tulsky JA, Bilheimer A, Dolor RJ, Lin P-H, Bodner ME, Bravender T. Weight's up? Predictors of weight-related communication during primary care visits with overweight adolescents. Patient Educ Couns. 2014 Sep;96(3):327–332.
Journal cover image

Published In

Patient Educ Couns

DOI

EISSN

1873-5134

Publication Date

September 2014

Volume

96

Issue

3

Start / End Page

327 / 332

Location

Ireland

Related Subject Headings

  • Weight Loss
  • Tape Recording
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Public Health
  • Primary Health Care
  • Physicians, Primary Care
  • Physicians, Family
  • Obesity
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Male