Contreras Francisca, Ko Tak Ying Louise, le Roux Carel W, Al-Najim Werd
Conway Institute, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Obes Pillars. 2025 Aug 19;16:100202. doi: 10.1016/j.obpill.2025.100202. eCollection 2025 Dec.
Obesity is a disease that represents a major global health problem, affecting over a quarter of European adults and straining healthcare systems. Despite its multifactorial causes, many healthcare professionals lack adequate training and confidence in delivering effective, person-centered obesity care. Weight stigma and misconceptions further impair outcomes. Thus, improved education and interprofessional training are essential to support healthcare professionals in delivering optimal obesity care. The aim of this study is to explore the current state of obesity management training among healthcare professionals working in obesity management services by identifying perceived training gaps, confidence levels and impact on clinical practice.
This study employed a mixed-methods design by combining a cross-sectional survey of 100 healthcare professionals with semi-structured interviews of 20 professionals who work in obesity management. Survey data were analyzed descriptively, and interview transcripts underwent thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke's framework.
Of the 100 healthcare professionals surveyed, 88 % reported actively working in obesity management and completed the full survey. Undergraduate training in obesity care was limited, with only 44 % receiving any, and only 12 % rated it as good or excellent. Postgraduate training was pursued by 51 %, with only 6 % completing formal advanced education. Participant perceptions of obesity training were organized in 5 domains: a) Current state of obesity management training, b) Confidence level, c) Gaps in training, d) Impact on clinical practice and d) Recommendation for obesity training curriculum.
Healthcare professionals report significant gaps in obesity management training that impact their confidence and clinical practice. The key recommendations made by participants in this study reflect both the perceived deficits and a clear demand for more structured and comprehensive training in obesity management. Integrating structured, evidence-based obesity education into healthcare training programs is essential to reduce stigma, build competence, and improve obesity care.
肥胖是一种代表着重大全球健康问题的疾病，影响着超过四分之一的欧洲成年人，并给医疗系统带来压力。尽管其病因是多方面的，但许多医疗专业人员在提供有效、以患者为中心的肥胖护理方面缺乏足够的培训和信心。体重歧视和误解进一步损害了治疗效果。因此，加强教育和跨专业培训对于支持医疗专业人员提供最佳肥胖护理至关重要。本研究的目的是通过识别感知到的培训差距、信心水平以及对临床实践的影响，探索在肥胖管理服务领域工作的医疗专业人员中肥胖管理培训的现状。
本研究采用混合方法设计，对100名医疗专业人员进行横断面调查，并对20名从事肥胖管理工作的专业人员进行半结构化访谈。对调查数据进行描述性分析，访谈记录使用布劳恩和克拉克的框架进行主题分析。
在接受调查的100名医疗专业人员中，88%报告积极从事肥胖管理工作并完成了完整调查。肥胖护理方面的本科培训有限，只有44%的人接受过相关培训，只有12%的人将其评为良好或优秀。51%的人接受了研究生培训，只有6%的人完成了正规的高等教育。参与者对肥胖培训的看法分为5个领域：a）肥胖管理培训的现状，b）信心水平，c）培训差距，d）对临床实践的影响，e）肥胖培训课程的建议。
医疗专业人员报告称，肥胖管理培训存在重大差距，这影响了他们的信心和临床实践。本研究参与者提出的关键建议既反映了感知到的不足，也明确表明了对更结构化、更全面的肥胖管理培训的需求。将结构化、基于证据的肥胖教育纳入医疗培训计划对于减少歧视、培养能力和改善肥胖护理至关重要。
