Dissertation
Perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of primary care providers toward obesity management: a qualitative study
Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.), Drexel University
Oct 2015
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6734
Abstract
Background and Problem Statement: Obesity is a serious, costly, and prevalent chronic condition, which affects adults and children all over the world. There is evidence that clinicians fail to screen, diagnose, and treat obesity in accordance with national evidence-based clinical guidelines. The purpose of this DNP project was to explore perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors toward obesity management by providers in primary care. Methods: A descriptive qualitative design using semi-structured face-to-face interviews was used along with thematic content analysis to analyze data for development of themes. A purposive sample of 12 primary care providers (PCPs), from hospital owned suburban practices, was chosen for this study and included six nurse practitioners (NPs) and six physicians age 30-65 who care for patients with obesity. Results: Participants reported a lack of knowledge, communication, and support for managing obesity. Many different provider approaches to managing obesity were observed, which are based on perceptions, beliefs, and anecdotal medicine rather than on scientific evidence. Common barriers to obesity management were identified and three major themes emerged: Provider centered obstacles, organizational obstacles, and provider perception of patient obstacles. Conclusion and Clinical/Application: This study confirms the presence of a trend in the delivery of care in a traditional healthcare system that places emphasis and value on episodic visits for disease management rather than on prevention. Organizational healthcare policies, protocols and guidelines must adapt and change to form a multidisciplinary integrated approach for managing this chronic condition. Future clinically and community focused initiatives must be innovative and are needed to support primary care providers in their delivery of evidence-based, patient-centered care to improve outcomes and reduce healthcare cost.
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Details
- Title
- Perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of primary care providers toward obesity management
- Creators
- Kathleen Bornhoeft - DU
- Contributors
- Ellen Giarelli (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
- 6734; 991014632275104721