Direct observation of weight-related communication in primary care V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Direct observation of weight-related communication and behavioural processes within primary care consultations
IRAS ID
146406
Contact name
Calum McHale
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of St Andrews
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 10 months, 31 days
Research summary
Aim: To investigate the communication about weight and weight management between primary healthcare practitioners (PHPs) and their patients in primary care practices across Scotland, using a mixed methods approach.
Scotland has one of the highest rates of overweight and obesity in the world, with over 60% of the adult population considered overweight. A better understanding of whether PHPs working in Scotland are discussing weight issues with their patients, as well as how they discuss these issues, is needed to inform future weight management practice. This evidence based information on current practice could enhance future training and inform the development of a PHP communication training interventions to enhance weight-related communication in primary care and improve patient weight-related outcomes.
The study will take place in primary care practices in Scotland. Routine consultations between general practitioners or practice nurses and their patients will be video recorded. After their consultation, patients will be asked to complete a questionnaire measuring demographic information, socioeconomic information, perceptions about the causes and consequences of overweight and obesity, weight perceptions and risk perceptions, behaviour change intentions, self-efficacy and patient satisfaction. Measurements of height and weight will also be taken by the researcher in a separate, private room within the primary care practice. These measurements will be used to access the patient’s body mass index (BMI) which will help to determine if the patient is overweight or obese.
After all video recording is completed within each practice all participating PHPs within the practice will be asked to complete a questionnaire measuring demographic information, beliefs about overweight and obesity, beliefs about PHPs role in weight management, perceptions of any barriers to weight discussion and information about their weight management practices with patients. PHPs will also be invited to take part in an interview to discuss further discuss their attitudes and beliefs about overweight and obesity, and weight management practice.
Videos will be analysed using primary care communication coding schemes and linked to questionnaire data to determine if and how weight issues are being discussed in primary care consultations and the factors that influence primary care weight-related communication.
The results of this study will develop understanding of current primary care weight management practices in Scotland. The results will also inform the development of a PHP communication training intervention to improve primary care weight-related communication and patient weight-related outcomes.
REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1831
Date of REC Opinion
9 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion