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other·family medicine, internal medicine, public health, nutrition, epidemiology·PMC10641940

How are people with obesity managed in primary care? – results of a qualitative, exploratory study in Germany 2022

Archives of Public Health · 2 authors, 1 centre

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TL;DR

This qualitative study interviewed 32 people with obesity in Germany about their experiences with general practitioner (GP) care for weight management.

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This was a qualitative, exploratory study involving semi-structured interviews with 32 individuals with obesity recruited via online health forums in Germany (2022). Key findings indicated that participants generally considered GPs to be central contact points and that GP advice could increase their willingness to address weight. However, numerous deficiencies were identified from the patient perspective: obesity was often discovered incidentally or late; there was an absence of continuous weight counseling; no specific weight-reduction goals were agreed upon; referrals to support services were lacking; and discussions were sometimes perceived as insensitive. Only a small subset of participants who had recently achieved sustainable weight loss attributed their success primarily to GP support.

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other

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family medicine

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ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10641940

How are people with obesity managed in primary care? – results of a qualitative, exploratory study in Germany 2022

Archives of Public Health

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ABSTRACT

Abstract Background Counselling and management of overweight and obesity are tasks for which general practitioners possess favourable qualifications. Based on a long-term doctor-patient relationship, GPs have various options for actions to deal with overweight problems. To date, however, there is only little evidence on the experiences which people with obesity have made with the primary physician model and the care needs and wishes they actually address to their GPs. This study investigated what experiences people with obesity have had with GP care and what care needs and wishes they communicated to their GPs. The results will be used to derive starting points for optimising the primary healthcare setting. Methods A total of 32 individuals affected by obesity were recruited over 24 online health forums. With them, we conducted qualitative interviews in the time between April and October 2022. Results The respondents considered the primary care physician to be the central contact person when they sought advice and support with weight problems. The advice of the GP was associated with an increased willingness to deal with reducing one’s own weight. Despite this positive perception, widespread drawbacks existed from the perspective of the respondents: (1) incidental or late discovery of obesity, (2) absence of continuous weight counselling, (3) no agreement on specific weight reduction goals, (4) no referrals to help and support services, (5) insensitive discussion. Only some of the respondents who have recently been able to reduce their weight sustainably attributed their success primarily to the support they received from their GP. Conclusion GPs should be encouraged to address obesity consistently and promptly. In addition, concrete recommendations and realistic goals for weight loss should be formulated. Continuous and motivating discussions are crucial in this regard. A focus on nutrition and exercise counselling in the GP’s office should also be encouraged. GPs should be strengthened in their role as mediators by integrating their patients into a network of further assistance as needed. The development of care structures for obesity management should be promoted. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13690-023-01214-z. Keywords: Obesity, Overweight, General practitioner, Therapy, Management

CITATION EXPORT

Julian Wangler, Michael Jansky. How are people with obesity managed in primary care? – results of a qualitative, exploratory study in Germany 2022. Archives of Public Health. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-023-01214-z

AUTHORS

2 · 1 CENTRES

Julian Wangler, Michael Jansky

1University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Centre for General Medicine and Geriatrics – Mainz, Mainz, Germany