A Systematic Review of Interprofessional Collaboration for Obesity Management in Primary Care, A Focus on Dietetic Referrals

Abstract

Background: An interpr ofessional approach is recommended in the managementof obesity.Objectives: To elucidate: 1) dietetic referral practices of primary care providers to prevent and manage obesity, and 2) the factors that enable or disable the use of dietetic referrals.Methods: Inclusion criteria: 1) written in English 2) primary care settings, 3) weight-management approaches, 4) referrals to Dietitians, 5) adult patients, 6) published from 2000 and 2017, and 7) meets standard quality criteria.Findings: Factors hindering the use of dietetic referrals included lack of accessibility to dietetic services and associated cost to patients. Working in proximity and relationship building were considered enabling factors for providing dietetic referrals.Conclusions: Multidisciplinary primary care settings facilitate dietetic referrals through relationship building, accessibility to dietitians, and cost-free dietetic services.