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First, Do No Harm: Understanding Primary Care Providers' Perception of Risks Associated With Discussing Weight With
Katie A Loth1, Jocelyn Lebow2, Marc James Abrigo Uy1
1University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Insights
Pediatric providers worry discussing weight with children may cause harm. They continue weight discussions carefully, aiming to reduce potential negative impacts on pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Health Behavior
- Clinical Practice
Background:
- Healthcare providers face challenges discussing weight with pediatric patients.
- Concerns exist regarding potential negative impacts of weight conversations in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore primary care providers' perceptions of risks associated with discussing weight with pediatric patients.
- To understand providers' commitment to best practices in pediatric weight management.
- To identify strategies used by providers to mitigate perceived risks during weight discussions.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study utilizing one-on-one interviews.
- Involved 20 primary care providers.
- Focused on perceptions, adherence to best practices, and risk mitigation strategies.
Main Results:
- Providers expressed concern about unintended negative consequences of discussing weight with children.
- Despite concerns, providers continued routine BMI screening and weight-focused conversations.
- Providers employed careful language and approaches to mitigate perceived risks.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric primary care providers perceive potential negative outcomes from weight-related discussions.
- Further research is needed to determine if weight-focused conversations should be avoided or if effective risk mitigation strategies exist.
Abstract:
Many health care providers struggle with if- and how-to discuss weight with their pediatric patients. This study used one-on-one interviews with primary care providers (n = 20) to better understand their: (1) perception of risks associated with talking about weight with pediatric patients, (2) commitment to adhering to best practices of pediatric weight management, and (3) approaches to mitigate perceived risks. Providers felt concerned that discussing weight with children during clinic visits may have unintended negative impacts. Despite perceived risks, providers continued regular BMI screening and weight-focused conversations, but took care with regard to language and approach with the goal of mitigating perceived risks. Findings suggest that pediatric primary care providers perceive that engaging in weight-related discussions with their patients has the potential to lead to negative, unintended consequences. Future research is needed to understand if weight-focused conversations should be avoided altogether or if there are approaches that can effectively mitigate risks.
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