Weight Stigma Responses: Patient Perceptions and Experiences of Interactions With Healthcare Professionals Across Healthcare Settings–A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Protocol

Abstract

Background: Weight stigma is enacted by healthcare providers across healthcare settings where it has been consistently shown to contribute to poor physical health outcomes and the maintenance of obesity via physiological, cognitive, emotional and behavioural pathways. Despite key stakeholders identifying obesity as a disease, people with obesity continue to experience denigration and discrimination, particularly in healthcare settings. Qualitative studies which capture the experience of enacted weight stigma from the patient perspective can increase awareness of how stigma presents within patient-provider interactions and ultimately inspire change in healthcare provision. The current review aims to systematically search for and synthesise enacted weight stigma experienced in primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare settings, explicitly from the patient perspective. Methods: Electronic searches will be conducted in PubMed, Medline, PsycInfo, Cinahl, Embase and Scopus to locate relevant studies published in English from May 2011. Two reviewers will independently conduct title and abstract screening and full text screening, any disagreements will be resolved through discussion with a third reviewer. The methodological quality of the included studies will be appraised using the critical appraisal skills programme (CASP) check list. A thematic synthesis will be conducted by the lead author in collaboration with the review team. Confidence in the review findings will be assessed by the review team using GRADE CERQual. Discussion: It is anticipated that the findings of the review will facilitate a deep and broad understanding of the patient experience to inform best practice and future intervention design.