Obesity management in Australian primary care: where has the general practitioner gone?
Obesity is a chronic condition with significant health and economic consequences that requires more effective management in Australia. General practitioners (GPs) currently act as care co-ordinators in line with national guidelines for overweight and obesity. Australian patients indicate that they would appreciate more involvement from their GP in the management of obesity, and this is in line with international findings. Not all patients have access to specialist obesity services or affordable allied health care because of location, cost and time, particularly in rural and remote areas where there is a greater prevalence of obesity. Empowering GPs to use their skills as expert generalists to manage obesity is an option that should be explored to improve access for all individuals. GPs will require evidence-based tools to assist them in structuring obesity management within their own general practice environment.
Academic Unit of General Practice, Australian National University Medical School, Canberra Hospital Campus, Building 4, Level 2, PO Box 11, Woden, ACT 2606, Australia.
Elizabeth Ann
EA
Sturgiss
Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Australian National University, Building 62, Mills Road, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia.
Chris
C
van Weel
Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, Qld 4222, Australia.
Lauren
L
Ball
School of Allied Health Sciences and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, Qld 4222, Australia.
Sarah
S
Jansen
Academic Unit of General Practice, Australian National University Medical School, Canberra Hospital Campus, Building 4, Level 2, PO Box 11, Woden, ACT 2606, Australia.
Kirsty
K
Douglas