Improving the prevention, early recognition, and treatment of pediatric obesity by primary care physicians.
To determine if participation in a learning collaborative (LC) would improve care processes for prevention, early recognition, and treatment of childhood obesity by primary care physicians (PCP), the authors conducted pre-post evaluations of the use of obesity related care processes by 18 primary care practices following participation in a 9-month LC based on the Model for Improvement. Prior to the LC, chart audits revealed that 55% of patients had a BMI recorded; this rose to 97% of patients at its conclusion. Following the LC, 11 practices had implemented systematic prevention advice to parents of infants compared with 3 prior to the LC. All practices developed plans for evaluation and management of children with an elevated BMI. Participation in an LC increased the number of primary care practices that provided anticipatory guidance regarding obesity prevention and that identified and treated overweight or obese children.
Young
Paul C
PC
The University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84158, USA. paul.young@hsc.utah.edu
DeBry
Sandra
S
Jackson
W Daniel
WD
Metos
Julie
J
Joy
Elizabeth
E
Templeman
Mark
M
Norlin
Chuck
C
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003376:Counseling; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D050177:Overweight / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D010290:Parents; D058007:Physicians, Primary Care / Q000193:education*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards; D013997:Time Factors