Satisfaction and acceptability of paediatric weight management services amongst parents and carers: A mixed‐methods study

To optimize treatment for children and adolescents with obesity and minimize attrition, consideration of parents' engagement and satisfaction with paediatric weight management services is crucial. The aim of this study was to conduct a mixed‐methods evaluation of parental acceptability and satisfaction of available paediatric weight management services in New South Wale, Australia's most populous state. Parents/carers referred to one of six weight management services between March 2018 and July 2019 were invited to participate. The study involved: (a) surveys and one‐on‐one phone interviews to assess overall satisfaction, acceptability of service design and delivery, treatment expectations, and service accessibility, strengths, weaknesses and areas of improvement; (b) a survey to determine costs to families of attending the service; and (c) a survey assessing families' reasons for treatment non‐attendance. N = 146 participants completed the survey to assess service satisfaction and acceptability and 37 of these also participated in phone interviews. Ninety‐three per cent were satisfied with the overall care they received and patient weight loss/cessation of weight gain and improvement in the family's overall health were rated as the most valued changes. Content analysis of interviews highlighted participants' recognition of positive changes achieved during treatment and appreciation of the resources provided, and the encouraging/empathetic nature of staff. The most common reasons for treatment attrition were difficulty in accessing the weight management service and flexibility of appointment times. Findings from this study can be utilized in future planning and development of paediatric weight management services to facilitate integrated, responsive and effective care of children and adolescents with obesity.