Primary care providers’ perceived barriers to obesity treatment and opportunities for improvement: A mixed methods study

Abstract

Background Primary care patients with obesity seldom receive effective weight management treatment in primary care settings. This study aims to understand PCPs’ perspectives on obesity treatment barriers and opportunities to overcome them. Study design This is an explanatory sequential mixed methods study in which survey data was collected and used to inform subsequent qualitative interviews. Settings and participants PCPs who provide care to adult patients in an academic medical center in the Midwestern US. Methodology PCPs (n = 350) were invited by email to participate in an online survey. PCPs were subsequently invited to participate in semi-structured interviews to further explore survey domains. Analytic approach Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Interviews were analyzed using directed content analysis. Results Among 107 survey respondents, less than 10% (n = 8) used evidence-based guidelines to inform obesity treatment decisions. PCPs’ identified opportunities to improve obesity treatment including (1) education on local obesity treatment resources (n = 78, 73%), evidence-based dietary counseling strategies (n = 67, 63%), and effective self-help resources (n = 75, 70%) and (2) enhanced team-based care with support from clinic staff (n = 53, 46%), peers trained in obesity medicine (n = 47, 44%), and dietitians (n = 58, 54%). PCPs also desired increased reimbursement for obesity treatment. While 40% (n = 39) of survey respondents expressed interest in obesity medicine training and certification through the American Board of Obesity Medicine, qualitative interviewees felt that pursuing training would require dedicated time (i.e., reduced clinical effort) and financial support. Conclusions Opportunities to improve obesity treatment in primary care settings include educational initiatives, use of team-based care models, and policy changes to incentivize obesity treatment. Primary care clinics or health systems should be encouraged to identify PCPs with specific interests in obesity medicine and support their training and certification through ABOM by reimbursing training costs and reducing clinical effort to allow for study and board examination.