A qualitative study on patients' and physicians' visions for the future management of overweight or obesity

Background. The management of obesity with its associated morbidity and mortality is a growing problem in primary care practices. Despite numerous recommendations in response to this challenge, weight management interventions still yield poor results. This is partly due to a discrepancy between phys...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Family practice 2012-02, Vol.29 (1), p.103-109
Main Authors: Heintze, Christoph, Sonntag, Ulrike, Brinck, Anna, Huppertz, Mania, Niewöhner, Jörg, Wiesner, Julia, Braun, Vittoria
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Attitudes
Doctors
Female
Forecasting
General Practice - trends
General practitioners
Germany
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Morbidity-Mortality
Obesity
Obesity - prevention & control
Outpatient treatment
Physicians, Family
Practice Patterns, Physicians' - trends
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Background. The management of obesity with its associated morbidity and mortality is a growing problem in primary care practices. Despite numerous recommendations in response to this challenge, weight management interventions still yield poor results. This is partly due to a discrepancy between physicians' and patients' understanding of the problem and possible solutions. Objective. This study analyses patients' and physicians' visions for the future management of obesity. Methods. Qualitative in-depth semi-structured interviews were performed. Physicians and patients were asked about their individual needs, experience and views regarding the management of obesity. Fifteen GPs and 15 overweight patients participated in this study. Interviews were transcribed and submitted to qualitative content analysis. Results. The investigation reveals a high level of agreement between the two groups with regard to communication requirements for successful care. Both groups stressed the need for multimodal care concepts inside and outside of GP practices. Both also addressed the current overburdening of outpatient care structures in dealing with the management of obesity. Conclusion. Options should be developed for closer cooperation between GPs and support facilities inside and outside practices.
ISSN:0263-2136
1460-2229
DOI:10.1093/fampra/cmr051