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Obesity management: Australian general practitioners' attitudes and practices
journal contribution
posted on 2000-01-01, 00:00 authored by Karen CampbellKaren Campbell, H Engel, Anna TimperioAnna Timperio, Cathy CooperCathy Cooper, David CrawfordDavid CrawfordObjectives: To document general practitioners’ (GPs) attitudes and practices regarding the prevention and management of overweight and obesity.
Research Methods and Procedures: A cross-sectional survey of a randomly selected sample of 1500 Australian GPs was conducted, of which 752 questionnaires were returned. The measures included views on weight management, definitions of success, views regarding the usefulness of drugs, approaches to and strategies recommended for weight management, and problems and frustrations in managing overweight and obesity.
Results: GPs view weight management as important and feel they have an important role to play. Although they consider themselves to be well prepared to treat overweight patients, they believe that they have limited efficacy in weight management and find it professionally unrewarding. GPs view the assessment of a patient's dietary and physical activity habits and the provision of dietary and physical activity advice as very important. The approaches least likely to be considered important and/or least likely to be practiced were those that would support the patient in achieving and maintaining lifestyle change.
Discussion: There remains considerable opportunity to improve the practice of GPs in their management of overweight and obesity. Although education is fundamental, it is important to acknowledge the constraints of the GPs’ existing working environment.
Research Methods and Procedures: A cross-sectional survey of a randomly selected sample of 1500 Australian GPs was conducted, of which 752 questionnaires were returned. The measures included views on weight management, definitions of success, views regarding the usefulness of drugs, approaches to and strategies recommended for weight management, and problems and frustrations in managing overweight and obesity.
Results: GPs view weight management as important and feel they have an important role to play. Although they consider themselves to be well prepared to treat overweight patients, they believe that they have limited efficacy in weight management and find it professionally unrewarding. GPs view the assessment of a patient's dietary and physical activity habits and the provision of dietary and physical activity advice as very important. The approaches least likely to be considered important and/or least likely to be practiced were those that would support the patient in achieving and maintaining lifestyle change.
Discussion: There remains considerable opportunity to improve the practice of GPs in their management of overweight and obesity. Although education is fundamental, it is important to acknowledge the constraints of the GPs’ existing working environment.
History
Journal
Obesity researchVolume
8Issue
6Pagination
459 - 466Publisher
WileyLocation
London, Eng.Publisher DOI
ISSN
1550-8528Language
engPublication classification
C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2000, WileyUsage metrics
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