How does physician BMI impact patient trust and perceived stigma?

Area of Science:

• Medical research
• Public health
• Patient-physician relationship

Background:

• Physician body mass index (BMI) is a potential factor influencing patient trust and perceptions of weight stigma.
• Understanding this dynamic is crucial for effective patient care, especially for overweight and obese individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of primary care physician (PCP) BMI on patient trust and perceived weight-related stigma.
• To analyze differences in patient trust in overall care and specific advice based on PCP BMI.

Main Methods:

• A national cross-sectional survey of 600 non-pregnant, overweight, and obese patients was conducted.
• Patient trust and perceptions of weight stigma were measured as outcome variables.
• Multivariate regression analyses examined the association between PCP BMI and patient outcomes, adjusting for covariates.

Main Results:

• Patients reported high overall trust in PCPs, irrespective of PCP BMI.
• Trust in diet advice was significantly higher when PCPs were overweight compared to normal BMI (87% vs. 77%).
• Patients seeing obese PCPs reported higher feelings of being judged (32%) compared to those seeing normal BMI PCPs (14%).

Conclusions:

• Overweight and obese patients generally trust their PCPs.
• Overweight PCPs were associated with higher trust in diet advice compared to normal BMI PCPs.
• Obese PCPs were linked to increased patient perceptions of judgment and stigma.