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Effects of counseling techniques on patients' weight-related attitudes and behaviors in a primary care clinic.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Cox, ME; Yancy, WS; Coffman, CJ; Ostbye, T; Tulsky, JA; Alexander, SC; Brouwer, RJN; Dolor, RJ; Pollak, KI
Published in: Patient Educ Couns
December 2011

OBJECTIVE: Examine primary care physicians' use of counseling techniques when treating overweight and obese patients and the association with mediators of behavior change as well as change in nutrition, exercise, and weight loss attempts. METHODS: We audio recorded office encounters between 40 physicians and 461 patients. Encounters were coded for physician use of selected counseling techniques using the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity (MITI) scale. Patient motivation and confidence as well as Fat and Fiber Diet score (1-4), Framingham physical activity questionnaire (MET-minutes), and weight loss attempts (yes/no) were assessed by surveys. Generalized linear models were fit, including physician, patient, and visit level covariates. RESULTS: Patients whose physicians were rated higher in empathy improved their Fat and Fiber intake 0.18 units (95% CI 0, 0.4). When physicians used "MI consistent" techniques, patients reported higher confidence to improve nutrition (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.2, 5.7). CONCLUSION: When physicians used counseling techniques consistent with MI principles, some of their patients' weight-related attitudes and behaviors improved. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Physicians may not be able to employ formal MI during a clinic visit. However, use of counseling techniques consistent with MI principles, such as expression of empathy, may improve patients' weight-related attitudes and behaviors.

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Published In

Patient Educ Couns

DOI

EISSN

1873-5134

Publication Date

December 2011

Volume

85

Issue

3

Start / End Page

363 / 368

Location

Ireland

Related Subject Headings

  • Weight Loss
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tape Recording
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Public Health
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Patients
  • Patient-Centered Care
  • Overweight
  • North Carolina
 

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Cox, M. E., Yancy, W. S., Coffman, C. J., Ostbye, T., Tulsky, J. A., Alexander, S. C., … Pollak, K. I. (2011). Effects of counseling techniques on patients' weight-related attitudes and behaviors in a primary care clinic. Patient Educ Couns, 85(3), 363–368. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2011.01.024
Cox, Mary E., William S. Yancy, Cynthia J. Coffman, Truls Ostbye, James A. Tulsky, Stewart C. Alexander, Rebecca J Namenek Brouwer, Rowena J. Dolor, and Kathryn I. Pollak. “Effects of counseling techniques on patients' weight-related attitudes and behaviors in a primary care clinic.Patient Educ Couns 85, no. 3 (December 2011): 363–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2011.01.024.
Cox ME, Yancy WS, Coffman CJ, Ostbye T, Tulsky JA, Alexander SC, et al. Effects of counseling techniques on patients' weight-related attitudes and behaviors in a primary care clinic. Patient Educ Couns. 2011 Dec;85(3):363–8.
Cox, Mary E., et al. “Effects of counseling techniques on patients' weight-related attitudes and behaviors in a primary care clinic.Patient Educ Couns, vol. 85, no. 3, Dec. 2011, pp. 363–68. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.pec.2011.01.024.
Cox ME, Yancy WS, Coffman CJ, Ostbye T, Tulsky JA, Alexander SC, Brouwer RJN, Dolor RJ, Pollak KI. Effects of counseling techniques on patients' weight-related attitudes and behaviors in a primary care clinic. Patient Educ Couns. 2011 Dec;85(3):363–368.
Journal cover image

Published In

Patient Educ Couns

DOI

EISSN

1873-5134

Publication Date

December 2011

Volume

85

Issue

3

Start / End Page

363 / 368

Location

Ireland

Related Subject Headings

  • Weight Loss
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tape Recording
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Public Health
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Patients
  • Patient-Centered Care
  • Overweight
  • North Carolina