title: Feasibility, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a telephone-based weight loss program delivered via a hospital outpatient setting.
abstract: Engaging patients in a group-based weight loss program is a challenge for the acute-care hospital outpatient setting. To evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a telephone-based weight loss service and an existing face-to-face, group-based service a non-randomised, two-arm feasibility trial was used. Patients who declined a two-month existing outpatient group-based program were offered a six-month research-based telephone program. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, two months (both groups) and six months (telephone program only) using paired t tests and linear regression models. Cost per healthy life year gained was calculated for both programs. The telephone program achieved significant weight loss (-4.1 ± 5.0 %; p = 0.001) for completers (n = 35; 57 % of enrolees) at six months. Compared to the group-based program (n = 33 completers; 66 %), the telephone program was associated with greater weight loss (mean difference [95%CI] -2.0 % [-3.4, -0.6]; p = 0.007) at two months. The cost per healthy life year gained was $33,000 and $85,000, for the telephone and group program, respectively. Telephone-delivered weight management services may be effective and cost-effective within an acute-care hospital setting, likely more so than usual (group-based) care.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Prevention Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia. m.whelan1@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Whelan
authors.affiliation: Cancer Prevention Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Goode
authors.affiliation: Cancer Prevention Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia.
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Eakin
authors.affiliation: School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Veerman
authors.affiliation: Cancer Prevention Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia.
authors.forename: E A H
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia.|The Mater Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia.
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Hickman
authors.affiliation: Cancer Prevention Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Reeves
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods*; D001315:Australia; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D015444:Exercise; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065228:Non-Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy; D013689:Telephone / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs
keywords: Diet; Lifestyle intervention; Obesity; Physical activity; Translation research; Weight loss