Understanding weight management experiences from patient perspectives: qualitative exploration in general practice
Abstract Background Obesity is a complex health issue affecting the quality of life of individuals and contributing to an unsustainable strain on healthcare professionals and national health systems. National policy guidelines indicate that general practice is best suited to deliver obesity healthca...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Primary Care |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-023-01998-7 |
| _version_ | 1827983212686606336 |
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| author | Kimberley Norman Lisette Burrows Lynne Chepulis Rawiri Keenan Ross Lawrenson |
| author_facet | Kimberley Norman Lisette Burrows Lynne Chepulis Rawiri Keenan Ross Lawrenson |
| author_sort | Kimberley Norman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Obesity is a complex health issue affecting the quality of life of individuals and contributing to an unsustainable strain on healthcare professionals and national health systems. National policy guidelines indicate that general practice is best suited to deliver obesity healthcare, however, obesity rates continue to rise worldwide indicating interventions are ineffective in this space. The aim of this study was to explore the weight management experiences from patient perspectives. Methods This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with 16 rural Waikato general practice patients. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Four themes were identified: Inconsistent Information, Significance of Holistic Factors, Obesity Centre Need, and Education. Participants expressed frustration at contradictory health messages, commercial company and ‘expert’ definition distrust, and that ‘holistic’ aspects to health significant to the weight management journey were unable to be addressed in general practice. Conclusion Whilst primary care is positioned as suitable for delivering obesity healthcare, this study found that participants do not perceive general practice to be equipped to deliver this care. Instead, participants argued for a specialist obesity centre capable of meeting all their obesity healthcare needs. Further, wider issues including on-line commodification of health and neo-liberal capitalism - factors that exploit people with a stigmatised health issue - can cause further harm to the participant. A radical modernisation of education, information, and resources from regulated, qualified and ‘trusted’ healthcare professionals who can provide safe, non-stigmatising supportive services is recommended to meet the unique and changing food climate, reduce obesity rates and improve health outcomes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T22:45:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bfe5129c8e474a0ab71b1a0ced192c73 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2731-4553 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T22:45:13Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Primary Care |
| spelling | doaj.art-bfe5129c8e474a0ab71b1a0ced192c732023-03-22T11:57:25ZengBMCBMC Primary Care2731-45532023-02-012411910.1186/s12875-023-01998-7Understanding weight management experiences from patient perspectives: qualitative exploration in general practiceKimberley Norman0Lisette Burrows1Lynne Chepulis2Rawiri Keenan3Ross Lawrenson4University of WaikatoUniversity of WaikatoUniversity of WaikatoUniversity of WaikatoUniversity of WaikatoAbstract Background Obesity is a complex health issue affecting the quality of life of individuals and contributing to an unsustainable strain on healthcare professionals and national health systems. National policy guidelines indicate that general practice is best suited to deliver obesity healthcare, however, obesity rates continue to rise worldwide indicating interventions are ineffective in this space. The aim of this study was to explore the weight management experiences from patient perspectives. Methods This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with 16 rural Waikato general practice patients. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Four themes were identified: Inconsistent Information, Significance of Holistic Factors, Obesity Centre Need, and Education. Participants expressed frustration at contradictory health messages, commercial company and ‘expert’ definition distrust, and that ‘holistic’ aspects to health significant to the weight management journey were unable to be addressed in general practice. Conclusion Whilst primary care is positioned as suitable for delivering obesity healthcare, this study found that participants do not perceive general practice to be equipped to deliver this care. Instead, participants argued for a specialist obesity centre capable of meeting all their obesity healthcare needs. Further, wider issues including on-line commodification of health and neo-liberal capitalism - factors that exploit people with a stigmatised health issue - can cause further harm to the participant. A radical modernisation of education, information, and resources from regulated, qualified and ‘trusted’ healthcare professionals who can provide safe, non-stigmatising supportive services is recommended to meet the unique and changing food climate, reduce obesity rates and improve health outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-023-01998-7ObesityPrimary careClient viewBarriersEffective weight managementNew Zealand |
| spellingShingle | Kimberley Norman Lisette Burrows Lynne Chepulis Rawiri Keenan Ross Lawrenson Understanding weight management experiences from patient perspectives: qualitative exploration in general practice BMC Primary Care Obesity Primary care Client view Barriers Effective weight management New Zealand |
| title | Understanding weight management experiences from patient perspectives: qualitative exploration in general practice |
| title_full | Understanding weight management experiences from patient perspectives: qualitative exploration in general practice |
| title_fullStr | Understanding weight management experiences from patient perspectives: qualitative exploration in general practice |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding weight management experiences from patient perspectives: qualitative exploration in general practice |
| title_short | Understanding weight management experiences from patient perspectives: qualitative exploration in general practice |
| title_sort | understanding weight management experiences from patient perspectives qualitative exploration in general practice |
| topic | Obesity Primary care Client view Barriers Effective weight management New Zealand |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-023-01998-7 |
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