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Tenedero CB, O'Brien KT, Patel BP, Strom M, Deveci AC, Chu L, Jayawardena S, Noseworthy R, McPherson AC, Walsh CM, Hamilton JK. Medical students' perceived comfort and competence performing physical examinations on patients with obesity: A mixed-methods needs assessment. Clin Obes 2024; 14:e12617. [PMID: 37559427 DOI: 10.1111/cob.12617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Physicians are unsatisfied with their training in the care of patients with obesity. Physical examination is a key component of care, and modifications to techniques are often necessary for patients with obesity. To determine learning needs, we examined medical students' perceived comfort and competency in conducting physical examinations on patients with obesity. This mixed-methods study of Canadian medical students used a questionnaire and semi-structured focus groups to assess medical students' perceived comfort and competence in examining patients with obesity. Participants included 175 Canadian medical students. A minority of medical students felt comfortable (42%) or competent (14%) examining patients with obesity. Physical exam challenges included modifying exam manoeuvres, interpreting findings and communicating sensitively around weight. Lack of early exposure to patients with obesity, minimal instruction by preceptors and a lack of curricular focus on obesity were felt to be barriers to improving these skills. Students perceived their lack of confidence as negatively impacting their ability to manage patients with obesity and more training in this area was desired to prevent disparities in care. Medical students feel that adequate training on how to perform an obesity-specific physical examination is lacking. Developing curricula and including formal teaching around these key competencies within medical education is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine B Tenedero
- Division of Endocrinology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Barkha P Patel
- Division of Endocrinology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michele Strom
- Division of Endocrinology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Arin C Deveci
- Division of Endocrinology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa Chu
- Division of Endocrinology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Rebecca Noseworthy
- Division of Endocrinology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amy C McPherson
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Catharine M Walsh
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- SickKids Research and Learning Institutes, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jill K Hamilton
- Division of Endocrinology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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O'Donoghue G, McMahon S, Holt A, Nedai M, Nybo T, Peiris CL. Obesity bias and stigma, attitudes and beliefs among entry-level physiotherapy students in the Republic of Ireland: a cross sectional study. Physiotherapy 2021; 112:55-63. [PMID: 34051594 DOI: 10.1016/j.physio.2021.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore entry-level physiotherapy students' attitudes and beliefs relating to weight bias and stigmatisation in healthcare. DESIGN Cross sectional survey of physiotherapy students. METHODS All final year physiotherapy students (n = 215) enrolled in entry-level physiotherapy programmes in the Republic of Ireland were invited to participate. Each received a questionnaire, consisting of 72 questions, within four key sections. Descriptive statistics and frequencies were used to analyse the data. RESULTS A response rate of 83% (179/215) was achieved. Whilst physiotherapy students, overall, had a positive attitude towards people with obesity, 29% had a negative attitude towards people with obesity, 24% had a negative attitude towards managing this population and most (74%) believed obesity was caused by behavioural and individual factors. Over one third of students (35%) reported that they would not be confident in managing patients with obesity and more than half (54%) felt treating patients with obesity was not worthwhile. CONCLUSION This study provides preliminary findings to suggest that weight stigma-reduction efforts are warranted for physiotherapy students. Helping students to understand that obesity is a complex, chronic condition with multiple aspects requiring a multi-faceted approach to its management might be the first step towards dispelling these negative attitudes towards patients living with obesity. Inclusion of a formal obesity curriculum should perhaps now be part of the contemporary physiotherapy students' education.
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Affiliation(s)
- G O'Donoghue
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland.
| | - S McMahon
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland.
| | - A Holt
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland.
| | - M Nedai
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland.
| | - T Nybo
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland.
| | - C L Peiris
- La Trobe University, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, Physiotherapy, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Croghan IT, Ebbert JO, Njeru JW, Rajjo TI, Lynch BA, DeJesus RS, Jensen MD, Fischer KM, Phelan S, Kaufman TK, Schroeder DR, Rutten LJF, Crane SJ, Tulledge-Scheitel SM. Identifying Opportunities for Advancing Weight Management in Primary Care. J Prim Care Community Health 2020; 10:2150132719870879. [PMID: 31496342 PMCID: PMC6734618 DOI: 10.1177/2150132719870879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Much has been written about the patients' perspective concerning weight management in health care. The purpose of this survey study was to assess perspectives of primary care providers (PCPs) and nurses toward patient weight management and identify possible areas of growth. Patients and Methods: We emailed a weight management-focused survey to 674 eligible participants (437 [64.8%] nurses and 237 [35.2%] PCPs) located in 5 outpatient primary care clinics. The survey focused on opportunities, practices, knowledge, confidence, attitudes, and beliefs. A total of 219 surveys were returned (137 [62.6%] from nurses and 82 [34.4%] from PCPs). Results: Among 219 responders, 85.8% were female and 93.6% were white non-Hispanic. In this study, PCPs and nurses believed obesity to be a major health problem. While PCPs felt more equipped than nurses to address weight management (P < .001) and reported receiving more training than nurses (50.0% vs 17.6%, respectively), both felt the need for more training on obesity (73.8% and 79.4%, respectively). Although, PCPs also spent more patient contact time providing weight management services versus nurses (P < .001), the opportunity/practices score was lower for PCPs than nurses (-0.35 ± 0.44 vs -0.17 ± 0.41, P < .001) with PCPs more likely to say they lacked the time to discuss weight and they worried it would cause a poor patient-PCP relationship. The knowledge/confidence score also differed significantly between the groups, with nurses feeling less equipped to deal with weight management issues than PCPs (-0.42 ± 0.43 vs -0.03 ± 0.55, P < .001). Neither group seemed very confident, with those in the PCP group only answering with an average score of neutral. Conclusion: By asking nurses and PCP general questions about experiences, attitudes, knowledge, and opinions concerning weight management in clinical care, this survey has identified areas for growth in obesity management. Both PCPs and nurses would benefit from additional educational training on weight management.
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