Physicians’ Weight Loss Counseling in Two Public Hospital Primary Care Clinics

BACKGROUND As the global burden of chronic conditions increases, effective management for these are a concern. There is an increasing need for chronic condition management using mobile self-management healthcare applications. OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the effectiveness of a mobile self-management healthcare application combined with human coaching for primary care services in patients with chronic conditions. METHODS A total of 110 patients with hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and/or metabolic syndrome who visited one of 17 participating primary care clinics from September 2020 to November 2020 were included in this study. Data regarding changes in body weight, sleep conditions, quality of life, depression, anxiety, stress, body mass index, waist circumference, blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and blood lipids levels were recorded. The intervention group (N=65) used a mobile self-management healthcare application with human coaching for 12 weeks, and the control group (N=45) underwent conventional, self-managed health care. RESULTS Patients in the intervention group reported significantly more weight loss than those in the control group (P=.002). The weight loss was markedly greater after using application for nine weeks than using it for four weeks or five to eight weeks (P=.002). Patients in the intervention group reported better sleep quality (P=.04) and duration (P=.004) than those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS The combination of a mobile self-management healthcare application and human coaching in primary care clinics results in better management of chronic conditions. The observed weight loss was greater and sleep quality improved than conventional primary care for patients with at least one chronic condition.

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Precision in Weighing: A Comparison of Scales Found in Physician Offices, Fitness Centers, and Weight Loss Centers

Public Health Reports ◽

10.1177/003335490512000308 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 120 (3) ◽

pp. 266-270 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Risa J. Stein ◽

C. Keith Haddock ◽

Walker S.C. Poston ◽

Dana Catanese ◽

John A. Spertus

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Primary Care ◽

Weight Loss ◽

Patient Care ◽

Fitness Centers ◽

Health Care Settings ◽

Primary Care Clinics ◽

Iatrogenic Complications ◽

Facility Type ◽

Higher Weights

Objective. Weight assessment is a critical aid in patient care. It is particularly important in monitoring progression of pregnancies, heart failure status, and when adjusting medications. Although weight is generally determined using a scale, few studies have evaluated the precision of non-household scales. The objective of this study was to assess scale precision across a variety of settings. Methods. An evaluation of scales from randomly selected primary care clinics ( n=30), diabetology/endocrinology clinics ( n=7), weight loss facilities ( n=25), and fitness centers ( n=30) was performed. Assessments were completed on a total of 223 scales: 94 from primary care clinics, 32 from diabetology/endocrinology clinics, 39 from weight loss centers, and 58 from fitness centers. Scales were assessed for condition, location in facility, resting surface, commercial designation, and calibration history. Scale precision was validated using 100 lb. (45.5 kg), 150 lb. (68.3 kg), 200 lb. (90.9 kg), and 250 lb. (113.6 kg) certified weights. Results. Overall, scales demonstrated decreased precision with increased weight. At higher weights, more than 15% of scales were off by more than 6 lbs. (2.3 kg), approximately 1 Body Mass Index (BMI) unit. While facility type was not significant, condition, location in facility, resting surface, commercial designation, and calibration history were significant. Conclusions. This study demonstrates that many scales used to measure body weight are imprecise and that scales in health care settings are no more precise than those in other facilities. Clinical decisions based on scales that are imprecise have the potential to cause iatrogenic complications in patient care.

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Recruitment of Men Into a Pragmatic Rural Primary Care Weight Loss Trial

American Journal of Men s Health ◽

10.1177/1557988320971917 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (6) ◽

pp. 155798832097191

Author(s):

Stephanie E. Punt ◽

Daniel L. Kurz ◽

Christie A. Befort

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Weight Loss ◽

Response Rate ◽

Behavioral Weight Loss ◽

Men And Women ◽

Primary Care Clinics ◽

Rural Primary Care ◽

Lower Response Rate ◽

Enrollment Rates ◽

Mixed Gender

Men remain underrepresented in behavioral weight loss trials and are more difficult to recruit compared to women. We describe recruitment response of men and women into a mixed-gender behavioral weight loss trial conducted within 36 rural primary care clinics. Participants were recruited through primary care clinics via direct mailings ( n = 15,076) and in-clinic referrals by their primary care provider (PCP). Gender differences were examined in response rate to direct mailings, study referral source, and rates of proceeding to study screening, being eligible, and enrolling. Men had a lower response rate to direct mailings than women (7.8% vs. 17.7%, p < .001). Men (vs. women) responding to the mailing were more likely to respond by opt-in postcard (64.6% vs. 56.8%) and less likely to respond by phone (33.9% vs. 39.6%), p = .002. Among potential participants contacting the study ( n = 2413), men were less likely to report being referred by PCPs (15.2% vs. 21.6%; p < .001), but were just as likely to proceed to screening, be eligible, and enroll. Men and women were more likely to proceed to screening when referred by PCPs (93.3% vs. 95.4%) compared to direct mailings (74.2% vs. 73.9%). Enrolled men were older ( p < .001), more likely to be married ( p = .04), and had higher levels of education ( p = .01). Men were less likely than women to respond to direct mailings and to be referred by their PCP, but after contacting the study, had similar screening, eligibility, and enrollment rates. Encouraging and training providers to refer men during clinic visits may help recruit more men into primary care-based weight loss trials.

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