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Team-Based Approach Including Behavioral Health, Nutritionist, and Primary-Care Physician to Improve Weight Management in Obese Patients at Community Health Centers

CP10 - Team-Based Approach Including Behavioral Health, Nutritionist, and Primary-Care Physician to Improve Weight Management in Obese Patients at Community Health Centers

Poster Type: Research

Track/Topic: A. T. Still University; Behavioral Health Services; Quality of Care and Quality Improvement; Social Determinants of Health

Research Objectives: Determine whether a team-based approach for weight management during the same office visit would improve weight management for obese patients at CHC.To effectively educate patients to identify barriers regarding their weight management and learn alternatives in their diet. To increase patient's satisfaction with weight management at CHC.

Research Study Design/Methods: Patients were recruited from a single healthcare provider’s population base before their visit. Inclusion criteria included patients over the age of 18 and a BMI over 30. Patients first met with their PCP for standard of care, followed by 10-minute visits with behavioral health and nutritionist separately. Afterwards, a post-survey questionnaire was filled. The survey consisted of 4 questions with a score ranging from 1-5, and It also included a comments section for qualitative data. Patients were followed up in one year to compare changes in BMI since the initial visit and with a phone interview.

Research Principal Findings and Quantitative/Qualitative Results: In total, 20 patients were enrolled in the study (11 males and 9 females). Mean age in years(SD) and BMI(SD) were 49.4(11.52) and 34.17(2.8), respectively. The mean score(SD) for the first post-survey question regarding overall satisfaction was 4.75(0.44). The mean score(SD) for the second post-survey question regarding behavioral health specialist was 4.70(0.47). The mean score(SD) for the third post-survey question regarding the nutritionist representative was 4.70(0.47). The mean score for the fourth post-survey question regarding motivation for weight loss was 4.75(0.44). There was no significant difference in change in BMI between initial and post one-year visit, 33.59 vs 33.79 (p=0.41).

Research Conclusions on Impact on Health Centers: Patients rated high scores in the post-survey questionnaire, with mean score averages all being higher than 4.7/5. Overall, most patients at the initial visit said that this team-based approach provided additional and helpful information about weight management when compared to speaking with just their PCP. COVID-19 played a significant factor in the one-year follow-ups on participants in terms of their BMI. This team-based approach strategy for weight management can be effective for patients at CHC. We recommend expanding the current study to include larger sample size, expanded to multiple CHC sites, and measuring long-term assessment of team-based approach post-COVID-pandemic.

Authors:

Nobel Nguyen, OMS, A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine