Support needs of people living with obesity during transition from tertiary obesity treatment to community care

As the number of people living with obesity increases, the maintenance of treatment outcomes is especially pertinent. Treatment at tertiary obesity services have proven to be successful, but patients need to be transitioned out of these services to community-based care to accommodate the influx of new patients. Little is known about the support needs of patients after transition from acute tertiary obesity services. It is important to establish the supports needed by these patients, especially in the context of maintaining treatment outcomes and ensuring continuity of care.

A qualitative study was conducted to identify the support needs of people with obesity as they transition to community care. Patients and clinicians recruited from a tertiary obesity clinic participated in semi-structured interviews and focus groups to explore factors influencing transition and supports needed in the community. Data was collected through audio recordings, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.

A total of 16 patients and 7 clinicians involved in the care of these patients participated between July 2020 and July 2021. Themes identified included the influence of clinic and individual factors on transition, the benefits of phased transition, patient-centred communication, and the role of social support. It was found that dependency and lack of self-efficacy, as well as low social support, hindered transition efforts. It was also identified that patients required substantial integrated professional and social support structures in the community to adequately address their care needs both during and following transition.

Interventions are needed to provide social community services following transition to ensure adequate community care that can support the maintenance of treatment outcomes. Such services should be integrated and address the social needs of people living with obesity.