The 5As team patient study: patient perspectives on the role of primary care in obesity management.
BACKGROUND
Over 60% of people have overweight or obesity, but only a third report receiving counselling from primary care providers. We explored patients' perspectives on the role of primary care in obesity management and their experience with existing resources, with a view to develop an improved understanding of this perspective, and more effective management strategies.


METHODS
Qualitative study employing semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, with a sample of 28 patients from a cohort of 255 patients living with obesity and receiving care to support their weight management in a large Primary Care Network of family practices in Alberta.


RESULTS
Four illustrative themes emerged: (1) the patient-physician relationship plays an important role in the adequacy of obesity management; (2) patients have clear expectations of substantive conversations with their primary care team; (3) complex conditions affect weight and patients require assistance tailored to individual obesity drivers; (4) current services provide support in important ways (accessibility, availability, accountability, affordability, consistency of messaging), but are not yet meeting patient needs for individual plans, advanced education, and follow-up opportunities.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients have clear expectations that their primary care physician asks them about weight within a supportive therapeutic relationship. They see obesity as a complex phenomenon with multiple drivers. They want their healthcare providers to assess and address their root causes - not simplistic advice to "eat less, move more". Patients felt that the current services were positive resources, but expressed needs for tailored weight management plans, and longer-term follow-up.
Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Clinical Research Unit, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2E1.|School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2E3.
Jacqueline
J
Torti
Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Clinical Research Unit, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2E1.|Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2E1.
Thea
T
Luig
Department of Anthropology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2H4.
Michelle
M
Borowitz
School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2E3.
Jeffrey A
JA
Johnson
Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2E1.
Arya M
AM
Sharma
Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Clinical Research Unit, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2E1. denise.campbell-scherer@ualberta.ca.|Department of Medicine, Obesity Research & Management, University of Alberta, Li Ka Shing Building, Rm. 1-116, 87th Avenue and 112th Street, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E1, Canada. denise.campbell-scherer@ualberta.ca.
Denise L
DL
Campbell-Scherer
D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D000073319:Obesity Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010819:Physician's Role; D058007:Physicians, Primary Care; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Family medicine; Obesity; Primary health care; Qualitative research