Evaluation of group video conference delivery of Kindeating programme

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of delivering an NHS adult weight management programme via group video conference

  • IRAS ID

    254005

  • Contact name

    Marion Cliffe

  • Contact email

    marion.cliffe@wales.nhs.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    BCUHB

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 9 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Access to current NHS weight management services is limited by travel difficulties in rural areas and time constraints for those in employment. 22% of adults in Wales have obesity, the leading cause of major health conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers. Expert dietetic and behavioural counselling with intensive follow-up has been shown to be effective in helping participants to achieve clinically significant weight loss. Improving access to services to help patients manage their weight would have a positive impact on health and health services.

    The Kindeating programme is a weight management programme for adults with BMI>35kg/m2, run by NHS Dietitians in leisure centres across North Wales. The programmes provide 8 weekly interactive sessions covering all aspects of weight management, followed by review sessions at 4, 6 and 12 months. Patient feedback has revealed that patients find the group support particularly helpful. However, commitment to a series of group sessions is difficult for many patients due to the geographically dispersed nature of the population.

    To address this issue we propose a pilot, offering an adapted version of the Kindeating programme via group video conference using Skype for Business. Patients would be recruited from those referred to NHS Dietetics for support with weight management. Video group conference would be offered as an additional option to existing face-to-face groups. Patients would be able to join a group from their own home or workstation from any Internet connected device from anywhere in North West Wales. Evaluation would assess the effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of this option with a particular focus on patient experience elicited by semi-structured interviews.

  • REC name

    Wales REC 5

  • REC reference

    18/WA/0373

  • Date of REC Opinion

    26 Nov 2018

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion