Providing Weight Management Services Research Articles

Using COM-B model in identifying facilitators, barriers and needs of community pharmacists in implementing weight management services in Malaysia: a qualitative study

BackgroundPrevious qualitative studies exploring the experiences of community pharmacists (CP) in implementing weight management services (WMS) often lack a theoretical underpinning. This study applied the capability, opportunity, motivation, behaviour (COM-B) model to factors associated with WMS implementation among CPs to develop and recommend better intervention strategies.MethodsA qualitative study design was used by conducting in-depth, semi-structured interviews with CPs. All the interviews were audio-recorded and duly transcribed. The thematic analysis approach was used to analyse the data, and the themes generated were mapped onto COM-B model components.ResultsThe themes that emerged were (1) motivation of pharmacists and (2) knowledge and skills, which were identified as both barriers and facilitators, and (3) the barriers to implementation in aspects of social norms and resources. Factors were subsequently categorised into the subcomponents of the model: physical capability (e.g., training), psychological capability (e.g., lack of knowledge), physical opportunity (e.g., product range), social opportunity (e.g., stigma), automatic motivation (e.g., remuneration) and reflective motivation (e.g., CPs extended roles).ConclusionsIn conclusion, programs or training For Cps should develop their psychological capability to change their behaviour by being more proactive in promoting and providing weight management services, with a vital educational component. This behavioural change will improve the promotion of this service and will help many customers who were unaware of this service. Learning opportunities will leave CPs to feel more empowered and overcome barriers to implementing and maintaining WMS in primary care. The study findings provided essential insights into the factors that affect this provided service in Malaysia. The results will help to encourage the embedding of nutrition counselling in academic curricula.

Can Weight Watchers (WW) Help Address Maternal Obesity? An Audit of Weight Change in Women of Childbearing Age and Mothers-To-Be, Referred into a Commercial Slimming Programme

ObjectivesThe scale of overweight and obesity amongst women of childbearing age or mothers to be, living in Wales, places a considerable burden on the NHS and public health. High BMI (over 30) during pregnancy increases the health risks for mother and baby. Policy advice recommends weight management services are available to help women lose weight before and whilst planning pregnancy. In parts of Wales, NHS partnerships with commercial companies provide weight management services for women considering or planning pregnancy. This study evaluates whether an established referral Weight Watchers (WW) programme, known to be effective in adults in England, can help mothers-to-be living in North Wales lose weight.MethodsAnalysis used routine data from 82 referrals to WW between June 2013 and January 2015. Participants received a referral letter inviting them to attend face-to-face group workshops combined with a digital experience. The programme encompassed healthy eating, physical activity and positive mind-set. Trained WW staff measured bodyweight before, during and at 12 weeks. On entry to the course, participants had a median age of 31.4 years (interquartile range (IQR) 28–34) with a median BMI of 36.8 kg/m2 (IQR 33.3–43.7).ResultsWomen completing the course (n = 34) had a median weight loss of 5.65 kg (IQR 0.45–10.85), equating to 5.7% (SD 3.46) of initial body weight. Intention-to-treat analysis (last observation carried forward), which included lapsed courses n = 66, showed a median weight loss of 3.6 kg (IQR − 2.53 to 9.73), equating to 3.7% (SD 3.62) of initial body weight. Overall, there was significant weight loss during the WW programme (Wilcoxon signed rank test Z = − 6.16; p < 0.001). Weight loss was significantly correlated with the number of workshops attended (Spearman correlation coefficient 0.61 p < 0.001). The proportion of all 82 participants (intention to treat, baseline observation carried forward) that achieved a weight loss of ≥ 5% initial weight was 30.5%.Conclusions for PracticeReferral of obese mothers-to-be into WW can successfully achieve short-term weight loss, at or above 5%, in approximately one third of participants. The dose–response effect supports a causal inference. Successful weight loss at this critical life stage may provide women with the necessary motivation to initiate weight loss for healthy pregnancy, however further research is required.

Exploring the Role of Community Pharmacists in Obesity and Weight Management in Qatar: A Mixed-Methods Study.

IntroductionObesity is a major public health burden in Qatar. Pharmacists can play an important role in providing weight management services (WMSs). This study aimed to explore their attitudes, practice, perceived competence, and role in WMSs in Qatar.MethodsA mixed-method explanatory sequential design was applied in the study. A validated online questionnaire was administered followed by qualitative individual and focus group interviews.ResultsTwo-hundred seventy community pharmacists completed the survey (response rate 45%). More than half of them indicated that they often or always explain to patients the risks associated with overweight and obesity (56.2%), recommend weight loss medications, herbs or dietary supplements (52.4%), and counsel about their proper use and/or side effects (56.9%). Conversely, the majority of the pharmacists rarely or never measure patients’ waist circumference (83.8%) or calculate their body mass index (72.1%). Over 80% had very positive attitudes towards their role in weight management. Around three-quarters of the participants agreed or strongly agreed that difficulty in following-up with patients (80.7%), lack of private consultation area (75.7%), and lack of pharmacist’s time (75.2%) are barriers for implementing WMSs. More than 60% stated that they are fully competent in 7 out of 24 WMSs listed. Some themes generated include pharmacist’s role and impact in weight management, need for training about weight management, and impact of social media on patients’ perceptions.ConclusionQatar community pharmacists reported positive attitudes towards the provision of WMSs. However, they identified several barriers against provision of WMSs. Several strategies are proposed to overcome barriers and to improve the provision of WMSs in community pharmacies in Qatar.

Identifying Opportunities for Advancing Weight Management in Primary Care.

Objective: Much has been written about the patients’ perspective concerning weight management in health care. The purpose of this survey study was to assess perspectives of primary care providers (PCPs) and nurses toward patient weight management and identify possible areas of growth. Patients and Methods: We emailed a weight management–focused survey to 674 eligible participants (437 [64.8%] nurses and 237 [35.2%] PCPs) located in 5 outpatient primary care clinics. The survey focused on opportunities, practices, knowledge, confidence, attitudes, and beliefs. A total of 219 surveys were returned (137 [62.6%] from nurses and 82 [34.4%] from PCPs). Results: Among 219 responders, 85.8% were female and 93.6% were white non-Hispanic. In this study, PCPs and nurses believed obesity to be a major health problem. While PCPs felt more equipped than nurses to address weight management (P < .001) and reported receiving more training than nurses (50.0% vs 17.6%, respectively), both felt the need for more training on obesity (73.8% and 79.4%, respectively). Although, PCPs also spent more patient contact time providing weight management services versus nurses (P < .001), the opportunity/practices score was lower for PCPs than nurses (−0.35 ± 0.44 vs −0.17 ± 0.41, P < .001) with PCPs more likely to say they lacked the time to discuss weight and they worried it would cause a poor patient-PCP relationship. The knowledge/confidence score also differed significantly between the groups, with nurses feeling less equipped to deal with weight management issues than PCPs (−0.42 ± 0.43 vs −0.03 ± 0.55, P < .001). Neither group seemed very confident, with those in the PCP group only answering with an average score of neutral. Conclusion: By asking nurses and PCP general questions about experiences, attitudes, knowledge, and opinions concerning weight management in clinical care, this survey has identified areas for growth in obesity management. Both PCPs and nurses would benefit from additional educational training on weight management.

Factors influencing medical student self-competence to provide weight management services.

This study aimed to identify factors associated with high obesity care self-competence among US medical students. The authors performed a cross-sectional analysis of 2014 survey data on fourth year medical students collected online as part of the Medical Student Cognitive Habits and Growth Evaluation Study (CHANGES). Independent variables included quality and quantity of interaction with patients and peers with obesity; hours of communication and partnership skills training; negative remarks against patients with obesity by supervising physicians, and witnessed discrimination against patients with obesity. The dependent variable was self-competence in providing obesity care. Of 5823 students invited to participate, 3689 (63%) responded and were included in our analyses. Most students were white (65%), half were women and 42% had high self-competence in caring for patients with obesity. Factors associated with high self-competence included increased interaction with peers with obesity (39% vs. 49%, P < 0.001) and increased partnership skills training (32% vs. 61%, P < 0.001). Increased partnership skills training and quantity of interactions with peers with obesity were associated with high student self-competence in providing obesity-related care to patients. Medical schools might consider increasing partnership skills training to improve students' preparedness and skill in performing obesity-related care.

Perceptions of the Malaysian general public on community pharmacy-based weight management services

BackgroundObesity is now widely regarded as a main contributor to poor health. Involvement of community pharmacists can be a valuable tool in obesity management. However, there is still a lack of data in Malaysia on the potential involvement of and opportunities for community pharmacists in providing weight management services. Thus, it is essential to investigate the perceptions of the general public on weight management services in the community pharmacy setting. To evaluate the general public’s perceptions on weight management services by community pharmacists in terms of perceived availability, utilization and factors influencing acceptability of services.MethodsA descriptive, cross sectional-survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire comprising of sections that focused on public preferences and options on weight management approaches, perceived availability of extended services and resources provided by community pharmacists in relation to weight management, utilization of these services and resources, and factors influencing acceptability of weight management services provided by community pharmacists. The questionnaires were distributed to the general public aged 18 years and above in Klang Valley, Malaysia.ResultsA total of 730 respondents with a median age of 31 years participated in this study. Majority of respondents ranked dieticians as their preferred first line of consultation, with only about a quarter of respondents ranking community pharmacists as their preferred first or second line of consultation. Although more than half show of the study respondents perceived that community pharmacies they had visited offered services for measuring weight, height, blood pressure, blood glucose and blood cholesterol, fewer perceived that community pharmacies provided advice on physical activity and healthy eating to achieve weight loss. Additionally, majority of the respondents indicated that they had not utilized these services. However, most respondents perceived that community pharmacists should provide weight management services. The main factors influencing acceptability show of services included training of pharmacists, payment, waiting time and the issue of privacy.ConclusionThe findings of this study demonstrated that the majority of respondents were in support of weight management services in community pharmacy; however only a low percentage reported utilizing these services. Factors influencing acceptability of services included payment, waiting time and the issue of privacy. With adequate training among pharmacists and increased awareness of services among the public, community pharmacists could play a larger and important role in addressing the issue of obesity in Malaysia.

The future of weight management in pharmacy education – Perspectives of new generation pharmacists

IntroductionOver recent years, the profession of pharmacy has transitioned towards providing more individualised patient care services. In this context, community pharmacy has proven to be an excellent facilitator for weight management programs. However, education on weight management in pharmacy undergraduate curricula is often lacking. The perspectives of early career pharmacists on their perceived role in weight management services and their associated educational needs can inform curricula review. MethodsIn-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 final year pharmacy students of The University of Sydney and five early career pharmacists from the greater Sydney, Australia area. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed for themes emerging. ResultsParticipants were positive about their perceived role in providing weight management services. They regarded a program not based on commercial products as most suitable for pharmacy-delivered weight management services. However, some barriers were identified, such as lack of training and communication skills related to weight management. Participants requested more educational resources to ensure the delivery of high quality weight management services. DiscussionMethods to enhance (future) pharmacists’ knowledge of weight management services could include case-based learning, enhancement of communication skills, and the development of suitable guidelines. ConclusionsParticipants perceived a clear role for themselves in providing weight management services in community pharmacies. However, the current educational system does not meet their requirements to prepare them for this role. A hands-on approach in education on weight management and appropriate communication skills should be introduced in pharmacy curricula to ensure future pharmacists are well prepared to deliver weight management services.

Undergraduate UK nutrition education might not adequately address weight management.

Weight management appears to be multidimensional and complex, and registered nutritionists might work to educate, promote and provide weight-management services to communities, groups and individuals. However, nutrition education might not adequately reflect the weight-management requirements of individuals and groups. The aim of the present study was to investigate if the Association for Nutrition's undergraduate core competency framework for accredited Nutrition degrees sufficiently reflects the weight-management needs and experiences of individuals. A qualitative investigation, conducted within critical realist ontology, was performed to understand the weight-management experiences of dieters and compare these with the Association for Nutrition's accreditation criteria for undergraduate Nutrition degrees. Framework analysis was used to identify and explain participants' experiences thematically and to compare these with the Association for Nutrition's core competency criteria. Participants (n 8) with weight-loss (n 4) and weight-maintenance experiences (n 4) were interviewed using semi-structured interviews to understand weight management at the agential level. Participants described knowledge, exercise, planning, psychological constructs and behaviour-change techniques, determinants of eating and social support as features of weight management. The competency criteria provided clear guidance on all aspects discussed by the group, apart from psychological constructs and behaviour-change techniques and social support. Accredited Nutrition courses might not fully reflect the weight-management needs and experiences of individuals. Nutritionists might require greater knowledge of psychology and behaviour change to better understand and accommodate their clients' weight-management needs.

Exploring weight management recommendations across Australian community pharmacies using case vignettes.

With the increase in the overweight and obese population, it is critical that pharmacy staff are able to provide weight management advice to women at different stages of their life. This study utilized case vignettes to identify pharmacists' and pharmacy assistants' current weight management recommendations to women of different ages, life stages and co-morbidities. A total of 537 pharmacist and 403 pharmacy assistant responses were received. In the case of the pre-pregnancy vignette, only 57% (46/80) of pharmacy assistants were able to correctly identify a woman's weight category based on her body mass index, which was significantly fewer than 86% (86/108) of pharmacists (P < 0.001). In the pregnancy vignette, both pharmacists and pharmacy assistants were able to identify the risks of using a herbal weight loss medication in pregnancy. The need for a 'multi-disciplinary team approach' was seen in the menopause case vignette with pharmacists, highlighting the need for the involvement of other health care professionals for successful weight loss outcomes. Australian pharmacists and pharmacy assistants are currently providing weight management services to their consumers, however, not all of their recommendations are evidence-based. There is a need for pharmacy weight management educational resources to be developed and implemented across community pharmacies.

A national mailed survey exploring weight management services across Australian community pharmacies

This study investigated pharmacists' and pharmacy assistants' current weight management recommendations to consumers across Australian community pharmacies using a mailed questionnaire. Two questionnaires were developed, one for pharmacists and one for pharmacy assistants, each divided into five sections. One pharmacist and pharmacy assistant questionnaire were mailed in November 2011 to a systematic sample of 3000 pharmacies across Australia for one pharmacist and pharmacy assistant each to complete. A total of 537 pharmacist and 403 pharmacy assistant responses, from 880 different pharmacies, were received. Overall 94.5% (n = 832/880) of associated pharmacies stocked weight loss products and 48.2% (n = 424/880) offered a weight management program. Both pharmacists and pharmacy assistants felt that the development of pharmacy-specific educational resources and additional training would help improve their ability to provide weight management services. Australian pharmacists and pharmacy assistants currently appear to be providing weight management services to consumers; however, not all their recommendations are evidence based. The need for additional training for pharmacy staff in areas identified as lacking and the development of pharmacy weight management educational resources needs to be addressed.

Weight management in community pharmacy: what do the experts think?

The increasing prevalence of obesity and overweight adults creates a significant public health burden and there is great potential for pharmacists to be involved in the provision of weight management services, other than the mundane supply of commercial products. In order to provide optimal services that can be integrated into the healthcare system, a best practice model for weight management services in community pharmacy should be in place. We sought experts' and key stakeholders' opinions on this matter. (1) To identify components of a best practice model of a weight management service feasible in Australian community pharmacy. (2) To identify the role of pharmacists and the training requirements to up-skill pharmacists to competently provide weight management services. (3) To elicit any practical suggestions that would contribute to successful implementation of weight management services in pharmacy. Australian primary care sector. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 12 participants including Australian experts in obesity and representatives of main Australian professional organisations in pharmacy. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed using the framework approach. Recommended components of pharmacy-based weight management services and training requirements. Participants perceived two potential roles for pharmacists involved in weight management: health promotion and individualised service. Multi-component interventions targeting all three areas: diet, physical activity and behaviour change were emphasised. Physical assessment (e.g. weight, waist circumference measurements), goal setting, referral to allied healthcare professionals and on-going support for weight maintenance were also proposed. Participants suggested pharmacists should undergo formal training and identified various training topics to improve pharmacists' knowledge, attributes and skills to acquire competencies necessary for delivery of this service. Some physical and financial barriers in providing these services were also identified including infrastructure, pharmacists' time and cost-effectiveness. Pharmacists are well-positioned to promote healthy weight and/or implement weight management interventions. Furthering pharmacists' role would involve training and up-skilling; and addressing key practice change facilitators such as pharmacy layout and remuneration. This study provides some insight into the design and implementation of a best practice model for pharmacy-based weight management services in Australia.

Efficacy of Continuing Education in Improving Pharmacists' Competencies for Providing Weight Management Service: Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial

Weight management is a new public health role for community pharmacists in many countries. Lack of expertise is one of the key barriers to counseling obese patients. We evaluated the comparative efficacy of three alternative continuing education (CE) meetings on weight management. We designed a randomized controlled trial comparing didactic lecture, lecture plus case discussion, and lecture plus small-group training. It was conducted in 2011 in Tehran. Pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and competence were evaluated immediately before, immediately after and one month after each meeting via standardized questionnaires and case vignettes. Participants' satisfaction was evaluated after each meeting. Data were analyzed using repeated measure analysis of variance and chi-squared tests. Sixty pharmacists were randomly allocated to each study arm. There were no demographic differences between the arms at the baseline. The knowledge scores significantly improved for all interventions over time. At the follow-up, the small-group training arm obtained significantly higher knowledge scores (p < 0.001, effect size = 0.54). The competence scores in lecture plus case discussion and lecture plus small-group training meetings improved over time (effect size 0.14 and 0.34; difference nonsignificant). Small-group training resulted in significantly higher satisfaction scores (p = 0.005). The interventions' effects on attitudes were similar. This is the first study on the implementation and efficacy of various types of CE meetings for community pharmacists to provide weight management services. Lecture plus small group training resulted in better learning retention over time and higher satisfaction. Future studies should evaluate the effects of various types of CE meetings on pharmacists' behavior and their cost-effectiveness.

RE-AIM evaluation of the Veterans Health Administration’s MOVE! Weight Management Program

Over one-third of patients treated in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) are obese. VHA introduced the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans in 2006 to provide comprehensive weight management services. An evolving, periodic evaluation using the RE-AIM framework (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) has been conducted to gauge success and opportunities for improvement. Key metrics were identified in each RE-AIM dimension. Data were compiled over fiscal years (FY) 2006 through 2010 from a variety of sources including VHA administrative and clinical databases, electronic medical record reviews, and an annual, structured VHA facility self-report. REACH: Screening for obesity and offering weight management treatment to eligible patients increased from 66% to 95% over the past 3years. MOVE! is currently provided at every VHA hospital facility and at over one-half of VHA community-based outpatient clinics. The percent of eligible patients who participate in at least one weight management visit has doubled since implementation began but has stabilized at 10 to 12%. About 18.6% of the 31,854 patients with available weight data who participated in at least two treatment visits between Jul 1, 2008 and Sep 30, 2009 had at least a 5% body weight loss by 6 months as did almost one-third of those who participated in more intense and sustained treatment. By contrast, only 12.5% of a comparison group of patients matched on age, gender, body mass index (BMI) class, and comorbidity status who were not treated with MOVE! had at least a 5% body weight loss. ADOPTION: The median full-time staff equivalent providing weight management services at each facility has increased over time and was 1.76 in FY 2010. Staff from multiple disciplines typically provide MOVE!-related care although not all disciplines are involved with providing care at every facility. Group-based treatment has become increasingly utilized, and in FY 2010 it represented 72% of all MOVE!-related visits. Intensity of treatment has increased from an average of 3.6 visits per patient per year in FY 2007 to 4.6 in FY 2010, but more than half of patients have two visits or less. Almost all facilities now report the consistent use of key evidence-based behavioral strategies with patients. MAINTENANCE: While participation in MOVE! by patients continues to grow each year, facility self-reported program staffing and space/equipment challenges are potential barriers to long-term program maintenance. Evidence-based weight management treatment can be delivered at VHA medical centers and community-based outpatient clinics, but the REACH remains limited after several years of implementation. Intense and sustained treatment with MOVE! results in a modest positive impact on short-term weight loss outcomes, but a relatively small proportion of patients engage in this level of care. Increasing reach, improving effectiveness of care, and keeping patients engaged in treatment are areas for future policy, practice, and research.

Barriers to obesity management: a pilot study of primary care clinicians

BackgroundObesity is an increasing epidemic in both the US and veteran populations, yet it remains largely understudied in the Veteran's Health Administration (VHA) setting. The purpose of our study was to identify barriers to the effective management of obesity in VHA primary care settings.MethodsThree focus groups of clinicians from a Veteran's Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) and an affiliated Community Based Outpatient Center (CBOC) were conducted to identify potential barriers to obesity management. The focus groups and previously published studies then informed the creation of a 47-item survey that was then disseminated and completed by 55 primary care clinicians.ResultsThe focus groups identified provider, system, and patient barriers to obesity care. Lack of obesity training during medical school and residency was associated with lower rates of discussing diet and exercise with obese patients (p < 0.05). Clinicians who watched their own diets vigorously were more likely to calculate BMI for obese patients than other clinicians (42% vs. 13%, p < 0.05). Many barriers identified in previous studies (e.g., attitudes toward obese patients, lack of insurance payments for obesity care) were not prevalent barriers in the current study.ConclusionMany VHA clinicians do not routinely provide weight management services for obese patients. The most prevalent barriers to obesity care were poor education during medical school and residency and the lack of information provided by the VHA to both clinicians and patients about available weight management services.