Discussing Weight in Real World GP Consultations: A Video Recording Analysis Study

Area of Science:

• General Practice
• Obesity Management
• Patient-Doctor Communication

Background:

• General practitioners (GPs) face challenges in obesity management due to patient experiences and the need for non-stigmatizing communication.
• Understanding how weight is discussed in consultations is crucial for improving care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the initiation and nature of weight discussions in real-world GP-patient consultations.
• To identify communication strategies used by GPs during these discussions.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of 43 Australian video-recorded GP-patient consultations and patient surveys.
• Descriptive content analysis was employed by a multi-disciplinary team, including individuals with lived experience of obesity.

Main Results:

• Weight was discussed in 17 out of 43 consultations, primarily initiated by GPs (15/17).
• Most discussions (14/17) were structured, with GPs seeking consent or offering opportunities to decline.
• No stigmatizing language was identified, and most patients (15/17) reported feeling listened to and respected.

Conclusions:

• GPs approach weight discussions with sensitivity, focusing on patient-centered health concerns.
• Effective communication strategies can foster respectful and validating patient experiences in obesity management.
• Co-designing resources with lived experience experts is vital for future GP training to prevent stigma.