Direct observation of weight-related communication in primary care: a systematic review.
Primary care is ideally placed to play an effective role in patient weight management; however, patient weight is seldom discussed in this context. A synthesis of studies that directly observe weight discussion in primary care is required to more comprehensively understand and improve primary care weight-related communication.



To systematically identify and examine primary care observational research that investigates weight-related communication and its relationship to patient weight outcomes.



A systematic review of literature published up to August 2015, using seven electronic databases (including MEDLINE, Scopus and PsycINFO), was conducted using search terms such as overweight, obese and/or doctor-patient communication.



Twenty papers were included in the final review. Communication analysis focused predominantly on 'practitioner' use of specific patient-centred communication. Practitioner use of motivational interviewing was associated with improved patient weight-related outcomes, including patient weight loss and increased patient readiness to lose weight; however, few studies measured patient weight-related outcomes.



Studies directly observing weight-related communication in primary care are scarce and limited by a lack of focus on patient communication and patient weight-related outcomes. Future research should measure practitioner and patient communications during weight discussion and their impact on patient weight-related outcomes. This knowledge may inform the development of a communication intervention to assist practitioners to more effectively discuss weight with their overweight and/or obese patients.
Population and Behavioural Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, UK ctm2@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Calum T
CT
McHale
Population and Behavioural Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, UK.
Anita H
AH
Laidlaw
Population and Behavioural Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, UK.
Joanne E
JE
Cecil
D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D050177:Overweight; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
General practice; observation; overweight; primary health care; professional–patient relations; review.