Attitudes, behaviours and strategies towards obesity patients in primary care: A qualitative interview study with general practitioners in Germany

Abstract

Background

Obesity poses severe challenges for the health care system. GPs are in an advantageous position to contribute to preventing obesity by diagnosing patients and initiating treatment. Sporadic studies have shown that attitudes towards obesity management in primary care can have a major influence on treating patients successfully.

Objectives

The study focuses on attitudes and behavioural patterns towards obesity patients, willingness to provide care, approaches and strategies, and the challenges experienced.

Methods

After developing the interview guides based on a literature review, 36 GPs in North Rhine-Westphalia and Saarland, Germany, were interviewed between November 2019 and March 2020. Using qualitative typing according to Kluge, different prototypes of GPs were formed. The dimensions of the interview guides were used for deriving the prototypes.

Results

GPs were categorised into four types depending on how they saw themselves and their role in treating patients. The first type (the resigned) was conspicuous through its negative attitude towards obesity management and a lack of willingness to provide care. The second type (the instructors) emphasised the value of active exercise, diet and health promotion, while the third type (the motivators) saw psychosocial support and motivation as a key element in helping patients. In contrast, type four (the educators) focussed primarily on early prevention through patient education.

Conclusion

Depending on which (proto-)type a patient visits, different focuses and strategies are pursued for obesity management and doctor–patient communication. This results in different perspectives and chances of success about therapeutic measures.

Keywords:

• Obesity
• overweight
• general practitioner
• primary care
• treatment

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and the writing of the paper.

Data availability statement

Research data is available upon request.