Educating and Empowering the Primary Care Healthcare Team about Identification, Documentation and Treatment of Obesity: A Practice Improvement Project

Written by Latisha Hayes

doi: https://doi.org/10.13178/jnparr.2019.09.02.0905

Abstract

Background: Adult obesity rates have more than tripled in the last three decades. While this burden is widely recognized, primary care providers (PCP’s) still fail to address this topic with their patients.

Objective: This project was designed to assess and increase PCPs knowledge and self-efficacy on the identification, diagnosis, treatment, and documentation of patient obesity, as well as reduce patients’ weight, BMI, HgA1C, blood pressure, triglycerides, and waist circumference as a result of provider treatment.

Methods: A retrospective records review was conducted to assess provider practices in obesity management. A pre and post educational questionnaire was administered to assess knowledge and self-efficacy related to treatment. Following the intervention, patient records were reviewed to ascertain whether there was a change in the above-mentioned markers as a result of provider interventions.

Results: On average PCP’s demonstrated an increase in obesity-related knowledge and self-efficacy. There was a significant increase in identification and diagnosis (92.9%), as well as treatment and documentation (52%), and a 5% increase in patient referrals. Blood pressure in patients decreased.

Conclusions: Despite an increase in obesity-related knowledge and management, health-related outcomes did not substantially improve. Results suggest the need to reduce barriers and implement interventions that can assist PCP’s in translating evidence to practice to reduce rates of adult obesity in the primary care setting.

Keywords: obesity, Primary Care Providers, obesity comorbidities, obesity management