Skip to main content

Table 3 Themes from open-ended survey comments, ranked by frequency of mention

From: Family physician attitudes in managing obesity: a cross-sectional survey study

Theme

Frequency of mention

Comments

Better Interventions Needed to Treat Obesity

40

Poor access to bariatric surgery, few other manageable alternatives

Poor Reimbursement for Management of Obesity

35

Counseling, preventive services often not covered in primary care

Obesogenic Environment

30

The "built environment" encourages obesity

Inadequate Time for Management of Obesity

28

Too many other distractions

Better Access and/or Reimbursement to Fitness/Coaches/Dieticians Needed

25

Better integration of non-physician support needed

The Patient is to Blame for Their Obesity

16

Overeating, restaurant eating, laziness

Better Referral Systems are Needed to Manage Obesity

14

Few pathways to bariatrics, dieticians, etc.

Screening is Non-Issue

13

Screening already performed well-enough - treatment is the difficulty

Futility of Attempts to Manage Obesity

8

Relates to both patient blame and to lack of time and referral pathways

Better Guidelines Needed for Obesity Management

6

Existing guidelines not realistic for practice

Better Patient Education Materials Needed for Obesity Management

6

Including culturally appropriate education materials

Group Visits Needed to Treat Obesity

4

Suggested; no clear indication whether these were implemented.

Better Screening Tools Needed to Identify Obesity

4

Related to general dissatisfaction with existing screening & management tools

Better Goal Setting Needed to Manage Obesity

2

Related to guidelines & educational materials

Better Physician Training Needed in Obesity Management

2

Similar to need for better guidelines

Discomfort of Physicians with Subject of Obesity

2

Not wanting to cross a barrier with patient.

General difficulty with topic

2

It is difficult to convince patients of the problem and to get to new

Staffing

2

Staff assistance is needed

Bariatric Surgery Endorsement

1

"surgery works"

Fatalism

1

"childhood determines risk"

Difficulty in Management

1

"paperwork"