Communication about weight-related issues with adult patients with obesity in general practice: A scoping review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Communication about weight-related issues with adult patients with obesity in general practice

T2 - A scoping review

AU - Lindberg, Cecilie Sonne

AU - Sandbaek, Annelli

AU - Jensen, Sissel Due

AU - Meldgaard Bruun, Jens

AU - Andreassen, Pernille

PY - 2023/10

Y1 - 2023/10

N2 - Background: Primary care providers see patients with obesity in general practice every day but may be challenged regarding communication about obesity. The research question of this study is: how do general practitioners and general practice staff and adult patients with obesity communicate about weight-related issues?. Methods: A scoping review approach was used, searching PubMed, Scopus and CINAHL for peer-reviewed studies – of both quantitative and/or qualitative study designs, and published between 2001 and 2021. Results: Twenty articles were included. The weight-related issues discussed were by far physical issues, and only one study mentioned psychosocial issues. Most of the included studies contained information on who initiates the communication, how the weight-related issues are addressed and handled, and also obstacles and challenges in relation to the communication. The studies lacked information of when the weight-related issues are addressed and differences in views and experiences when discussing weight-related issues in general practice. Conclusion: Studies with the main focus communication about obesity and overall health in general practice are needed. Findings also indicate, that non-stigmatizing communication tools and guidelines are needed on this area to promote these types of conservations.

AB - Background: Primary care providers see patients with obesity in general practice every day but may be challenged regarding communication about obesity. The research question of this study is: how do general practitioners and general practice staff and adult patients with obesity communicate about weight-related issues?. Methods: A scoping review approach was used, searching PubMed, Scopus and CINAHL for peer-reviewed studies – of both quantitative and/or qualitative study designs, and published between 2001 and 2021. Results: Twenty articles were included. The weight-related issues discussed were by far physical issues, and only one study mentioned psychosocial issues. Most of the included studies contained information on who initiates the communication, how the weight-related issues are addressed and handled, and also obstacles and challenges in relation to the communication. The studies lacked information of when the weight-related issues are addressed and differences in views and experiences when discussing weight-related issues in general practice. Conclusion: Studies with the main focus communication about obesity and overall health in general practice are needed. Findings also indicate, that non-stigmatizing communication tools and guidelines are needed on this area to promote these types of conservations.

KW - Adulthood ; Body mass index ; Communication ; Diabetes ; Librarians ; Obesity ; Patients ; Primary health care ; Review ; Reviews ; Weight

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85152276780&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1002/osp4.669

DO - 10.1002/osp4.669

M3 - Review

C2 - 37810526

AN - SCOPUS:85152276780

SN - 2055-2238

VL - 9

SP - 548

EP - 570

JO - Obesity Science and Practice

JF - Obesity Science and Practice

IS - 5

ER -