Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Primary care physicians (PCPs) are in a critical position for identifying, preventing and treating childhood obesity. However, a one-size-fits-all approach does not exist for having conversations about weight with families. A better understanding of how PCPs can address paediatric patients' weight concerns is needed in order to develop effective guidelines and trainings.Objective
To describe PCPs preferences and behaviours regarding weight-related conversations with paediatric patients' and their families.Methods
Twenty PCPs affiliated with the University of Minnesota, USA, were recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews. Transcripts were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.Results
PCP's identified well-child visits as the most appropriate time for weight-related discussions with families. Physicians described what approaches/elements they perceived to work best during conversations: collaboration, empathy, health-focused and objective measures.Conclusions
Overall, PCPs were more comfortable with weight-related discussions during annual well-child visits and rarely initiated them during an acute visit or the first encounter with a patient. Objective measures, such as growth charts, were often utilized to start discussions. Considering a large proportion of well-child visits are missed, alternative opportunities to have discussions about healthy lifestyle behaviours should be explored. The integral role PCPs play in paediatric obesity warrants further research.
SUBMITTER: Hersch DE
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8414925 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Hersch Derek E DE Uy Marc James A MJA Ngaw Samantha M SM Loth Katie A KA
Family practice 20210701 4
<h4>Background</h4>Primary care physicians (PCPs) are in a critical position for identifying, preventing and treating childhood obesity. However, a one-size-fits-all approach does not exist for having conversations about weight with families. A better understanding of how PCPs can address paediatric patients' weight concerns is needed in order to develop effective guidelines and trainings.<h4>Objective</h4>To describe PCPs preferences and behaviours regarding weight-related conversations with pa ...[more]