Survey at a safety net hospital finds that not all providers are knowledgeable about, or feel comfortable with, providing comprehensive obesity care.
San Antonio — Despite the prevalence of obesity in primary care , there appear to be major knowledge gaps among providers regarding obesity management, new research suggests.
“I think it comes down to education… Not only training primary care physicians or residents about criteria and pathophysiology, but also stigma. Perceptions need to be addressed from the start of training in the healthcare field,” Campos toldDuring his presentation, Campos noted this is the first such study in the setting of a safety-net hospital, which cares for lower-income people who experience disproportionate rates of obesity.
The hospital is the largest safety-net hospital in New England, with a patient population that includes 58% enrolled in Medicaid, 32% Black/African American individuals, 24% identifying as Hispanic/Latino individuals, and 37% living below the poverty line. When asked to choose from a list of conditions to pick which are considered weight-related comorbidities, between 80-90% choose type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea , hypertension, hyperlipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and coronary artery disease. Fewer, but still a majority, also listed osteoarthritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, respondents were less likely to cite cancer, mood disorders, or chronic kidney disease as being related to obesity.
“Reassuringly,” Campos said, the majority either “disagreed” or “strongly disagreed” that “lack of will power” contributes to obesity. However, more than 20% agreed that “lack of exercise or physical activity” contributed. Referrals to nutrition services were endorsed more often than to obesity medicine specialists or bariatric surgery.
Obese Bariatric Surgery Obesity Surgery Weight Loss Surgery Primary Care Hospitals Practice Management Revenue Residency Residents Biliary Disease Gallbladder Disease Neuroendocrine Tumor Neuroendocrine Tumour NET Nets Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET) Neuroendocrine Tumors (Nets) Neuroendocrine Tumour (NET) Neuroendocrine Tumours (Nets) Surgery Atherosclerotic Heart Disease
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