Needs Assessment for Weight Management: The Learning Health System Network Experience

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Obesity Medicine
• Patient-Centered Care

Background:

• Weight management is a critical public health issue.
• Understanding patient needs and experiences is essential for effective clinical interventions.
• Learning Health Systems offer a framework for improving care delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess patient weight management needs and experiences across diverse healthcare settings.
• To identify factors associated with higher body mass index (BMI).
• To understand patient perspectives on primary care provider (PCP) involvement in weight management.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to 19,964 patients with overweight or obesity across 5 healthcare systems in 11 states.
• Data were collected on patient experiences, opinions, and barriers related to weight management.
• Statistical analysis was used to identify associations between demographic factors, BMI, and weight management experiences.

Main Results:

• Younger, female, nonwhite, single patients with less college education had higher BMIs.
• Common weight loss barriers included food cravings and medical conditions limiting physical activity.
• Higher BMI correlated with more comorbidities, lower health status, and negative perceptions of PCP support and judgment.

Conclusions:

• Patient needs and experiences in weight management are significantly influenced by BMI.
• Physician involvement is crucial, but patients with higher BMI perceive deficits in PCP skills and feel judged.
• Findings can inform clinical weight management strategies to better align with patient expectations.