Barriers to counseling patients with obesity: a study of Texas community pharmacists.
OBJECTIVE
To assess barriers to the counseling of obese patients and identify pharmacists' characteristics associated with these barriers.


METHODS
Cross-sectional mail survey.


METHODS
Texas.


METHODS
139 community pharmacists.


METHODS
Self-administered questionnaire.


METHODS
Respondents' perceived barriers to pharmacists' counseling of obese patients.


RESULTS
The top three barriers to counseling included lack of time (76.8%), lack of patient demand or expectations (55.8%), and lack of reimbursement/compensation (49.3%). Pharmacists indicated that they rarely to sometimes counseled obese patients and were somewhat comfortable with counseling about obesity management. They perceived obesity management strategies to be somewhat effective in weight loss, but were neutral regarding their confidence in achieving positive outcomes with counseling. Pharmacists who were more experienced were more likely to indicate that obesity is controllable without medications. Those who considered obesity controllable without medications were significantly more likely to view the various obesity management strategies as less effective, compared with those who did not share this belief. Pharmacists who viewed lack of privacy as a barrier were significantly less confident in achieving positive outcomes as a result of counseling. Creating awareness among patients about pharmacists' ability to counsel was perceived as most important in overcoming barriers.


CONCLUSIONS
Pharmacists identified several barriers to counseling of obese patients. Pharmacists' demographics and beliefs about obesity were significantly associated with their perceived barriers.
O'Donnell
Dannielle C
DC
Roche Laboratories, USA. odonnell@mail.utexas.edu
Brown
Carolyn M
CM
Dastani
Homa B
HB
D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003376:Counseling / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D010595:Pharmacists; D024382:Professional Role; D013781:Texas