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Updated: May 28, 2026

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report
Published on: May 30, 2025
GPs' attitudes, objectives and barriers in counselling for obesity--a qualitative study
Ulrike Sonntag1, Anna Brink, Babette Renneberg
1Institute for General Practice and Family Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. ulrike.sonntag@charite.de
Background:
Increasing prevalence of obesity worldwide requires providing support for many patients. GPs in particular, as long-term supervisors of patients, are asked to deliver care to those affected.
Objectives:
This qualitative study aimed at identifying GPs' perspectives on counselling overweight and obese patients.
Methods:
To that end, semi-structured interviews were conducted in Berlin with GPs regarding their objectives and barriers in overweight care. Fifteen GPs participated; interviews were audio taped, transcribed and analysed using qualitative content analysis.
Results:
Analysis showed a differentiated pattern of medical and psychosocial objectives in obesity treatment. Overall, it was seen that GPs wanted to play a relatively passive role in treatment of obesity. In particular, motivating patients was a key goal of primary care consultations; at the same time patients' lack of motivation was a main barrier to successful treatment.
Conclusions:
Care for obese patients is perceived as ineffective and frustrating. Recommended solutions include further education to improve GPs' communication techniques, e.g. to trigger patients' motivation.
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