The place of psychological interventions in weight management services
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The place of psychological interventions in weight management services: perspectives of health care practitioners and patients.
IRAS ID
124631
Contact name
Sindeep Kaur Lehl
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Wolverhampton
Research summary
There is burgeoning literature on the role of psychological support within weight management services. This has identified the need for further research into the role of psychological support in weight management services.
The aim of this study is to to gain an understanding of patients’ awareness of psychological support within weight management services, the barriers they may encounter to access this and how this could be improved organisationally.
This study is separated into two parts. Part one would look at professionals’ experiences of working within weight management services and part two will address patients’ experiences of accessing a weight management programme after seeking IRAS approval, which is sought for part two of the study.
This study will be taking place at predominantly Walsall NHS weight management services but also at Dudley NHS weight management services if need be. The patients who have attended these programmes will have been referred via their GP requiring weight management support. A patient is eligible for this study and this programme if they are over 18 years old and have a BMI of 35+. This programme runs for 6 months, where patients’ are weighed weekly for the first 3 months. For the remaining 3 months the patients can request a weigh in but it is not provided routinely. The medical, physical exercise and dietary advice offered is mandatory from the first appointment, whereas psychological support is optional.
The study will be conducted at a NHS base or the patients’ home. The patient will be involved in the study for up to 2 hours. The patients will participate in an interview for 45-60 minutes.
This study’s research question is “Why do some patients engage in psychological support for weight management, whilst others do not?“.
The service management fully support this study.
REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/WM/0422
Date of REC Opinion
27 Nov 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion