Physicians' beliefs about discussing obesity: results from focus groups.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
PURPOSE: Physicians are expected to discuss weight loss with overweight and obese patients. Physicians' beliefs, outcome expectancies, and strategies for addressing weight with patients have not been examined. DESIGN: Two focus groups of family physicians and internists included questions about obesity and how physicians discuss weight loss with patients. SETTING/SUBJECTS: Family physicians (n = 11) and internists (n = 6) from Duke University Medical Center's Department of Community and Family Medicine and Department of Medicine. ANALYSIS: Qualitative analysis approach using grounded theory methodology. RESULTS: Physicians' responses centered on five key themes: (1) responsibility, (2) barriers, (3) target populations, (4) introducing topic, and (5) ways to talk about obesity. CONCLUSION: Physicians have many barriers related to discussing weight loss with patients. Given the obesity epidemic, the need to understand how to have these discussions, when to have these discussions, and with whom to have these discussions becomes paramount to providing effective care for patients with obesity. Limited physician training in weight-loss counseling explains why physicians find it challenging to discuss obesity with patients.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Alexander, SC; Ostbye, T; Pollak, KI; Gradison, M; Bastian, LA; Brouwer, RJN
Published Date
- 2007
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 21 / 6
Start / End Page
- 498 - 500
PubMed ID
- 17674636
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0890-1171
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.4278/0890-1171-21.6.498
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States