Discussing Weight in Real World GP Consultations: A Video Recording Analysis Study

ABSTRACT Objective GPs have a complex role in obesity management due to patients' individualized experience of living with obesity, coupled with the challenge to deliver healthcare messages in non‐stigmatizing ways. This study aimed to explore who initiates the topic of weight and how weight wa...

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Main Authors: Kimberley Norman, Neha Giri, Nilakshi Gunatillaka, Kellie West, Divya Ramachandran, Elizabeth Sturgiss
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-02-01
Series:Obesity Science & Practice
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.70034
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author Kimberley Norman
Neha Giri
Nilakshi Gunatillaka
Kellie West
Divya Ramachandran
Elizabeth Sturgiss
author_facet Kimberley Norman
Neha Giri
Nilakshi Gunatillaka
Kellie West
Divya Ramachandran
Elizabeth Sturgiss
author_sort Kimberley Norman
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Objective GPs have a complex role in obesity management due to patients' individualized experience of living with obesity, coupled with the challenge to deliver healthcare messages in non‐stigmatizing ways. This study aimed to explore who initiates the topic of weight and how weight was discussed in real‐world GP‐patient consultations. Method A multi‐disciplinary team, including obesity lived experience experts, undertook a secondary data analysis of 43 Australian video recorded consultations and patient surveys from The Digital Library using descriptive content analysis. Results 17/43 consultations included the topic of weight in the discussion. 15 were initiated by the GP and 2 by the patient. 14/17 used a structured approach. All GPs asked for consent to discuss weight or gave patients space to decline the discussion. No overt stigmatizing language was identified. A post‐consultation survey found 15/17 patients (2 unanswered) felt listened to and respected during consultations. Conclusion This study identified the intricate ways GPs approach weight discussions in consultations. GPs navigated weight discussions in ways that made patients feel respected and listened to and related weight to health concerns relevant to each patient. Practice Implications The findings in this study can serve as a foundation for establishing education and training resources for GPs and can be utilized as a way of continuing professional development. Any future communication technique resources for GPs should be co‐designed with obesity lived experience experts to ensure appropriateness and avoid potential stigma and harm.
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spelling doaj-art-e6c4169c6300474b99461173cb1493602025-08-20T02:46:08ZengWileyObesity Science & Practice2055-22382025-02-01111n/an/a10.1002/osp4.70034Discussing Weight in Real World GP Consultations: A Video Recording Analysis StudyKimberley Norman0Neha Giri1Nilakshi Gunatillaka2Kellie West3Divya Ramachandran4Elizabeth Sturgiss5The School of Primary and Allied Health Care Monash University Melbourne AustraliaThe School of Primary and Allied Health Care Monash University Melbourne AustraliaThe School of Primary and Allied Health Care Monash University Melbourne AustraliaThe School of Primary and Allied Health Care Monash University Melbourne AustraliaThe School of Primary and Allied Health Care Monash University Melbourne AustraliaThe School of Primary and Allied Health Care Monash University Melbourne AustraliaABSTRACT Objective GPs have a complex role in obesity management due to patients' individualized experience of living with obesity, coupled with the challenge to deliver healthcare messages in non‐stigmatizing ways. This study aimed to explore who initiates the topic of weight and how weight was discussed in real‐world GP‐patient consultations. Method A multi‐disciplinary team, including obesity lived experience experts, undertook a secondary data analysis of 43 Australian video recorded consultations and patient surveys from The Digital Library using descriptive content analysis. Results 17/43 consultations included the topic of weight in the discussion. 15 were initiated by the GP and 2 by the patient. 14/17 used a structured approach. All GPs asked for consent to discuss weight or gave patients space to decline the discussion. No overt stigmatizing language was identified. A post‐consultation survey found 15/17 patients (2 unanswered) felt listened to and respected during consultations. Conclusion This study identified the intricate ways GPs approach weight discussions in consultations. GPs navigated weight discussions in ways that made patients feel respected and listened to and related weight to health concerns relevant to each patient. Practice Implications The findings in this study can serve as a foundation for establishing education and training resources for GPs and can be utilized as a way of continuing professional development. Any future communication technique resources for GPs should be co‐designed with obesity lived experience experts to ensure appropriateness and avoid potential stigma and harm.https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.70034communicationGPobesityprimary careweight management
spellingShingle Kimberley Norman
Neha Giri
Nilakshi Gunatillaka
Kellie West
Divya Ramachandran
Elizabeth Sturgiss
Discussing Weight in Real World GP Consultations: A Video Recording Analysis Study
Obesity Science & Practice
communication
GP
obesity
primary care
weight management
title Discussing Weight in Real World GP Consultations: A Video Recording Analysis Study
title_full Discussing Weight in Real World GP Consultations: A Video Recording Analysis Study
title_fullStr Discussing Weight in Real World GP Consultations: A Video Recording Analysis Study
title_full_unstemmed Discussing Weight in Real World GP Consultations: A Video Recording Analysis Study
title_short Discussing Weight in Real World GP Consultations: A Video Recording Analysis Study
title_sort discussing weight in real world gp consultations a video recording analysis study
topic communication
GP
obesity
primary care
weight management
url https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.70034
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