title: General practitioner opinion of weight management interventions in New Zealand.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Internationally, a number of studies have investigated general practitioner (GP) opinion of weight management interventions. To date there have been no similar studies carried out in New Zealand. This study aimed to explore GP opinion of weight management interventions in one region of New Zealand. Understanding GP opinion is important, as rates of obesity are increasing and GPs are front-line health care service providers. The data collected could be used to guide health service development in New Zealand, and to inform training and support of GPs in obesity management.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative study using inductive thematic analysis of a series of 12 semi-structured interviews with GPs in the Wellington region of New Zealand.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five key themes were identified: 1) GP perceptions of what the GP can do; 2) the roots of the obesity problem; 3) why the GP doesn't succeed; 4) current primary care interventions; and 5) bariatric surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The GPs interviewed felt responsible for treatment of obesity in their patients. They expressed a sense of disempowerment regarding their ability to carry this out, identifying multiple barriers. These included: a society where overweight is seen as normal; complex situations in which weight management is rooted in personal issues; stigma associated with overweight and its management; lack of efficacious interventions; and low resource availability. Bariatric surgery was viewed cautiously in general, though some examples of positive results were reported, as well as a desire for increased access to this treatment option.
authors.affiliation: University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Rosemary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Claridge
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, Te Tari Hauora Matamua me te Matauranga Rata Whanau, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Wellington, PO Box 7343, Wellington, New Zealand. lesley.gray@otago.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stubbe
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Lindsay
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Macdonald
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tester
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Anthony C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Dowell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D066262:Social Norms