Translating the use of the five A's of obesity management in primary care
Date
2022
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Obesity is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater and is directly linked to cardiac disease, cancer, and strokes. Two trillion healthcare dollars per year are spent on obesity related illnesses. There are 100 million individuals in the United States living with obesity. Despite the evidence that screening for obesity in primary care settings can have a positive impact on health outcomes, most individuals with obesity report never having a conversation with their providers about weight management. Healthy People 2030 initiatives are soliciting the help of primary care providers to evaluate BMI at every visit and engage individuals in conversations about nutrition and physical activity. Providers, however, are citing lack of time, knowledge deficits, and fear of offending their patients as the reason for their lack of engagement. ☐ This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) practice improvement project was guided by the Five As of Obesity Management Framework with the purpose of implementing and evaluating the obesity management tool in a primary care setting. The data collection between August and December 2021 included a convenience sample of 109 adults over the age of eighteen seeking primary care. A comparison of the practice’s usual screening methods dated back to August of 2021 was conducted. Data analysis indicates that using the Five As of Obesity Management had a direct and positive effect on documentation of obesity screening and interventions by the provider. Using the Five As also increased provider confidence to engage patients in weight management discussions. Finally, provider satisfaction with the DNP project rated high and the provider responded that she would likely continue to use the Five As of Obesity Management in practice. ☐ Keywords: Five As and 5As, Primary Care, Screening, and Documentation
Description
Keywords
Five A's, Obesity management, Primary care