Supporting weight focused discussions in primary care: A qualitative exploration of barriers and facilitators

To understand perspectives of primary care professionals and trainee primary care professionals on discussions with higher weight patients focused on weight management support, particularly the barriers and facilitators to these discussions.

Qualified primary care professionals and trainee primary care professionals (N = 91) at varying career stages within Australia completed an online survey (as part of a larger study) with a series of open-ended questions about their experiences and requirements to facilitate effective weight-related discussions with higher weight patients. Survey responses were qualitatively analysed using thematic and content analysis.

From the analyses, participants recognised their strengths, including non-judgemental and non-blaming attitudes, empathy and providing practical and tailored weight management solutions. Participants also indicated a need for more time and resources to deliver comprehensive, tailored care sensitively. Perceived barriers included appointment length/time and patient financial constraints for extended consultations, limited familiarity with suitable weight management options and challenges prioritising health and lifestyle factors over weight. Participants emphasised the need for resources and multidisciplinary support to facilitate effective weight-related discussions that focused on overall health and wellbeing.

Improving access to and awareness of clinical guidelines and existing resources, along with investing in specialised weight management services, could benefit primary care professionals across the career stage spectrum.

These findings suggest the need for health systems and leadership to support prioritisation of education, training, development of, and access to relevant curricula, tools, resources, and guidelines. This may facilitate primary care professionals (current and future) to raise weight-related discussions sensitively and effectively.