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Family Docs Often Ignore the Obvious

Primary care physicians often fail to discuss overweight and obesity with their patients even when diabetes and its comorbidities stare them in the face. "We need to change the culture, so we start to talk to patients about weight," says third-year medical student Maggie McEvoy of University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth.

At the recent American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and World Conference of Family Doctors (WONCA) Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Fla., McEvoy presented the results of a survey of family physicians from throughout Minnesota. A two-page survey was mailed to 479 doctors in June 2003. One hundred ninety-nine surveys were returned, for a response rate of 42%.

Overall, about 75% of respondents report that they speak to patients about weight issues. But in many cases the opportunity is lost despite the presence of red flags. Weight is discussed with only 64% of patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, or arthritis, and with 48% of patients with a history of those conditions, says McEvoy.

Family doctors mention weight issues with 89% of overweight patients undergoing routine physicals, "but that means we're missing 11% of patients," she says.

Lack of time during the patient encounter and a pervasive sense of futility are among the reasons given most often by the survey respondents for failing to discuss weight.

Family doctors "don't think they have time, and believe that patients will feel they're being nagged," says McEvoy. "They also sense a lack of patient motivation."

McEvoy's survey also revealed that, by their own admission, 40% of the doctors are overweight or obese.

Footnotes

FYI

The American Diabetes Association recently launched a resource to help clinicians manage obesity—the Weight Loss Matters Professional Toolkit. To request a free copy, call the ADA toll free, 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383).

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Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Goldfarb, B. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Goldfarb, B. Social Bookmarking                What's this?