Dissertation
Examining nurses' attitudes and beliefs toward patients with high body mass index: a comparison between a bariatric center of excellence and a community hospital
Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.), Drexel University
2017
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-7386
Abstract
Background: Higher weight patients seeking healthcare services are at risk of negative societal attitudes toward obesity. It is essential that the healthcare industry evaluates factors that influence the perception of care at the bedside for this population. Purpose: This study sought to compare differences between Registered Nurses (RN) attitudes toward patients with high Body Mass Index (BMI) in a Bariatric Center of Excellence to those in a community hospital. In addition, this study sought to determine if a relationship existed between nurses' attitudes toward higher weight patients and their own body satisfaction, internalized weight bias, and experiences with weight stigmatization. Methods: This study utilized a quasi-experimental design with a sample of 118 nurses from the two study sites that completed an electronic survey containing a series of validated questions and demographic data. Evaluation: Descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, and frequencies) were used to report the demographics and major study variables in each hospital. Independent samples t-tests showed one difference between study sites in negative attitudes towards patients with high BMI. One subscale related to controllable factors of obesity showed lower negativity in the Bariatric Center of Excellence, as measured by the Nurses Attitudes Toward Obese and Obese Patient Survey (NATOOPS). No significant correlations were found between negative attitudes and body satisfaction, internalized weight bias, or external weight stigma. Clinical Implications: Attitudes about controllable factors of obesity is impacted by a bariatric center environment. Further field research with a focus on implicit attitudes and evidenced-based educational tactics are needed to obtain a more in-depth perspective on nurses' attitudes.
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Details
- Title
- Examining nurses' attitudes and beliefs toward patients with high body mass index
- Creators
- Kathleen Hartman - DU
- Contributors
- Kathleen Mary Fisher (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Doctoral Nursing; Nursing (Graduate); College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 7386; 991014632437204721