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Psychiatrists’ Perceptions and Practices in Treating Patients’ Obesity

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Abstract

Objective

This study identified psychiatrists’ perceptions and practices regarding advising and treating obese patients.

Methods

Questionnaires were mailed to a national random sample of 500 members of APA. A three-wave mailing was used to maximize the return rate. The questionnaire contained items on weight control based on the Stages of Change and Health Belief models, Self-Efficacy theory, and the 5As strategy.

Results

A total of 236 psychiatrists responded to the survey. Most did not have any formal training during medical school on treating obese patients and three-quarters evaluated their training in psychiatric residency programs on weight loss/control issues as “not adequate at all” or “not very adequate.” The majority regularly assisted their obese patients with weight management. Most psychiatrists felt confident to ask, advise, assess, assist, and arrange (5As) regarding weight loss issues and believed that doing so would result in significant weight loss. The majority were more likely to advise obese patients to lose weight when comorbid conditions were present. The most common barriers to aiding obese patients were time constraints, poor patient compliance, lack of clear guidelines and practice tools, limited medical training on the issue, and fear of offending patients.

Conclusion

Patients can no longer afford to have their psychiatrists provide cursory assistance with obesity. Weight management training should be incorporated into psychiatric residency training and continuing education programs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Public Health, University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft, Mailstop 119, Toledo, Ohio, 43606, USA

    Christine Lichwala-Zyla M.D., Ph.D.,  James H. Price Ph.D., M.P.H.,  Joseph A. Dake Ph.D., M.P.H. &  Timothy Jordan Ph.D., M.Ed.

  2. ZEPF Community Mental Health Center, Toledo, OH, USA

    Joy Ann Price M.D., Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Christine Lichwala-Zyla M.D., Ph.D.
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  2. James H. Price Ph.D., M.P.H.
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  3. Joseph A. Dake Ph.D., M.P.H.
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  4. Timothy Jordan Ph.D., M.Ed.
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  5. Joy Ann Price M.D., Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joseph A. Dake Ph.D., M.P.H..

Additional information

At the time of submission, the authors declared no competing interests.

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Lichwala-Zyla, C., Price, J.H., Dake, J.A. et al. Psychiatrists’ Perceptions and Practices in Treating Patients’ Obesity. Acad Psychiatry 33, 370–376 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ap.33.5.370

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ap.33.5.370

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