GPs' attitudes, objectives and barriers in counselling for obesity--a qualitative study.
BACKGROUND
Increasing prevalence of obesity worldwide requires providing support for many patients. GPs in particular, as long-term supervisors of patients, are asked to deliver care to those affected.


OBJECTIVE
This qualitative study aimed at identifying GPs' perspectives on counselling overweight and obese patients.


METHODS
To that end, semi-structured interviews were conducted in Berlin with GPs regarding their objectives and barriers in overweight care. Fifteen GPs participated; interviews were audio taped, transcribed and analysed using qualitative content analysis.


RESULTS
Analysis showed a differentiated pattern of medical and psychosocial objectives in obesity treatment. Overall, it was seen that GPs wanted to play a relatively passive role in treatment of obesity. In particular, motivating patients was a key goal of primary care consultations; at the same time patients' lack of motivation was a main barrier to successful treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Care for obese patients is perceived as ineffective and frustrating. Recommended solutions include further education to improve GPs' communication techniques, e.g. to trigger patients' motivation.
Institute for General Practice and Family Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. ulrike.sonntag@charite.de
Ulrike
U
Sonntag
Anna
A
Brink
Babette
B
Renneberg
Vittoria
V
Braun
Christoph
C
Heintze
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D037001:Directive Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D050177:Overweight / Q000628:therapy*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data