Effect of a BMI chart on weight management discussions in a primary care setting.
OBJECTIVE
To measure whether the addition of a BMI chart to a patient's medical record at the time of the office visit would increase the likelihood of a physician discussing weight management with the patient.


METHODS
Office staff were instructed to place a BMI chart on the front of medical charts of all patients aged 21 years to 65 years who were seen during a 2-month period in two urban university-affiliated clinics. The staff were to plot the BMI on the chart. The medical records were audited for the presence of the BMI chart and any documentation of a discussion of weight management.


RESULTS
Of the 961 charts that were audited, 44% contained the BMI chart. A discussion of weight management issues was documented in 19% of those that contained a BMI chart and in 15% of those that did not contain a BMI chart.


CONCLUSIONS
Data presented here suggest that adding a BMI chart to the patient medical record may increase the attention of a physician to weight management issues.
Kuppersmith
Nancy C
NC
Department of Family and Geriatric Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA. nckupp01@gwise.louisville.edu
Miles
Toni P
TP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*