Healthcare Workers’ Experiences of Strategies in Caring for Patients with Obesity: A Qualitative Content Analysis

Abstract

Background: Healthcare workers try their best to deal with the challenges of caring for patients with obesity (PWO). However, no study has addressed the strategies used in taking care of PWO. Healthcare workers’ experiences of these strategies can facilitate the challenges of caring for these patients. Objectives: This study aimed to explain healthcare workers’ experiences of the strategies used in caring for PWO. Methods: A conventional content analysis (Graneheim and Lundman’s approach) was conducted during 2018-2021. A total of 25 personnel (including nurses, physicians, and nursing assistants) who experienced working with PWO at least for three years in two large teaching hospitals in Iran were selected by purposeful sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect the data and the MAXQDA software (version 10) was used to analyze them. Results: The findings introduced help-seeking to provide care as the most important strategy used by healthcare workers to deal with the challenges of caring for PWO. The four categories included help-seeking in performing clinical procedures, help-seeking in general care with assistance, help-seeking in the patient’s treatment course, and help-seeking for patient safety. Conclusion: Healthcare workers, particularly nurses, seek help from others to meet all the care and treatment needs of patients and provide better care with the least negative consequences for patients and themselves.