Patient barriers to accessing a specialist weight management service
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the patient journey to engagement with the Grampian specialist weight management service with patients who have opted-in to the service
IRAS ID
201632
Contact name
Gertraud Stadler
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Aberdeen
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 17 days
Research summary
There is a need for effective treatment of obesity. Evidence would suggest that the best treatment for obesity is an intervention which features physical activity and diet advice in partnership with support. The NHS have set up weight management services which give patients who have a BMI of >30, tailored dietary and lifestyle advice along with psychological support to address the emotional aspect of the patient’s weight troubles. One of these services have been set up in the Grampian region. However, since this services is new, not a lot is known about what challenges patients face on their journey with the service. Understanding this journey would allow possible changes to be made to the programme to improve future patient outcomes. These outcomes could be: in amount of weight lost, satisfaction with the programme or lifestyle changes which will last beyond the end of the programme. Potential participants will be former or current patients of the Grampian Specialist Weight Management Service. The participants will be asked to take part in individual face-to-face interviews which will last approximately 60 minutes but no later than 90 minutes. The interviews will be audio recorded. The questions will assess patient motivation for programme completion, barriers they have faced during the 12 weeks, gauging how supportive the service has been, what group classes have been like for them, what the key take home messages have been and also reflection upon positive experience or successes. The participants will be asked to meet at the Aberdeen Health Village on Frederick Street, where they have been attending for their classes and clinics and therefore is a familiar environment.
REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EE/0158
Date of REC Opinion
6 May 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion