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Verhaak AMS, Ferrand J, Puhl RM, Tishler DS, Papasavas PK, Umashanker D. Experienced weight stigma, internalized weight bias, and clinical attrition in a medical weight loss patient sample. Int J Obes (Lond) 2022; 46:1241-1243. [PMID: 35173281 PMCID: PMC8852855 DOI: 10.1038/s41366-022-01087-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Background Limited research has explored the relationship between weight bias and clinical attrition, despite weight bias being associated with negative health outcomes. Participants/method Experienced weight stigma (EWS), internalized weight bias (IWB), and clinical attrition were studied in a Medical Weight Loss clinic, which combines pharmacological and behavioral weight loss. Patient sociodemographic, medical, and psychological (depression) variables were measured at consultation, and clinic follow-ups were monitored for 6 months. IWB was assessed with the Weight Bias Internalization Scale Modified (WBIS-M). Results Two-thirds (66%) of study participants returned for follow-up appointments during the 6-month period (“continuers”), while 34% did not return after the initial consultation (“dropouts”). Clinic “dropouts” had higher WBIS-M scores at initial consultation than “continuers,” (χ2(1) = 4.56; p < 0.05). No other variables were related to clinical attrition. Average WBIS-M scores (4.57) were similar to other bariatric patient studies, and were associated with younger age (t = −2.27, p < 0.05), higher depression (t = 2.65, p < 0.01), and history of EWS (t = 2.14, p < 0.05). Conclusion Study findings indicate that IWB has significant associations with clinical attrition. Additional research is warranted to further explore the relationships between EWS, IWB, and medical clinic engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison M S Verhaak
- Division of Health Psychology, The Institute of Living/Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA. .,Hartford HealthCare Headache Center, Ayer Neuroscience Institute, Hartford, CT, USA.
| | - Jennifer Ferrand
- Division of Health Psychology, The Institute of Living/Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA.,Wellness Department/Medical Affairs, Hartford HealthCare, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Rebecca M Puhl
- University of Connecticut Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health; Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT, USA
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Verhaak AMS, Williamson A, Johnson A, Murphy A, Saidel M, Chua AL, Minen M, Grosberg BM. Migraine diagnosis and treatment: A knowledge and needs assessment of women's healthcare providers. Headache 2020; 61:69-79. [PMID: 33377176 DOI: 10.1111/head.14027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies suggest that migraine is often underdiagnosed and inadequately treated in the primary care setting, despite many patients relying on their primary care provider (PCP) to manage their migraine. Many women consider their women's healthcare provider to be their PCP, yet very little is known about migraine knowledge and practice patterns in the women's healthcare setting. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess women's healthcare providers' knowledge and needs regarding migraine diagnosis and treatment. METHODS The comprehensive survey assessing migraine knowledge originally developed for PCPs was used in this study, with the addition of a section regarding the use of hormonal medications in patients impacted by migraine. Surveys were distributed online, and primarily descriptive analyses were performed. RESULTS The online survey was completed by 115 women's healthcare providers (response rate 28.6%; 115/402), who estimated that they serve as PCPs for approximately one-third of their patients. Results suggest that women's healthcare providers generally recognize the prevalence of migraine, but experience some knowledge gaps regarding migraine management. Despite 82.6% (95/115) of survey respondents feeling very comfortable or somewhat comfortable with diagnosing migraine, only 57.9% (66/114) reported routinely asking patients about headaches during annual visits. Very few were familiar with the American Academy of Neurology guidelines on preventative treatment (6.3%; 7/111) and the Choosing Wisely Campaign recommendations on migraine treatment (17.3%; 19/110), and many prescribed medications known to contribute to medication overuse headache. In addition, only 24.3% (28/115) would order imaging for a new type of headache, 35.7% (41/115) for worsening headache, and 47.8% (55/115) for headache with neurologic symptoms; respondents cited greater tendency with sending patients to an emergency department for the same symptoms. Respondents had limited knowledge of evidence-based, non-pharmacological treatments for migraine (i.e., biofeedback or cognitive behavioral therapy), with nearly none placing referrals for these services. Most providers were comfortable prescribing hormonal contraception (mainly progesterone only) to women with migraine without aura (80.9%; 89/110) and with aura (72.5%; 79/109), and followed American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) guidelines to limit combination hormonal contraception for patients with aura. When queried, 6.3% or less (5/79) of providers would prescribe estrogen-containing contraception for women with migraine with aura. Only 37.3% (41/110) of respondents reported having headache/migraine education. Providers indicated interest in education pertaining to migraine prevention and treatment (96.3%; 105/109), migraine-associated disability (74.3%; 81/109), and diagnostic testing (59.6%; 65/109). CONCLUSION Women's healthcare providers appear to have several knowledge gaps regarding the management of migraine in their patients. These providers would likely benefit from access to a headache-specific educational curriculum to improve provider performance and patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison M S Verhaak
- Hartford Healthcare Headache Center, Ayer Neuroscience Institute, West Hartford, CT, USA.,Division of Health Psychology, The Institute of Living/Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Anne Williamson
- Research Department, Hartford Healthcare, West Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Amy Johnson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hartford HealthCare, West Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Andrea Murphy
- Hartford Healthcare Headache Center, Ayer Neuroscience Institute, West Hartford, CT, USA
| | | | - Abigail L Chua
- Hartford Healthcare Headache Center, Ayer Neuroscience Institute, West Hartford, CT, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Mia Minen
- Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brian M Grosberg
- Hartford Healthcare Headache Center, Ayer Neuroscience Institute, West Hartford, CT, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
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