A Canadian Survey of Medical Students and Undergraduate Deans on Managing Patients With Obesity

Abstract

Background: With over 26% of Canadian adults living with obesity, undergraduate medical education (UGME) should prepare medical students to manage this chronic disease. It is currently unknown how management of obesity is taught within UGME curricula in Canada. This study (1) examined the knowledge and self-reported competence of final-year medical students in managing patients with obesity, and (2) explored how this topic is taught within UGME curricula in Canada.Methods: We distributed two online surveys: one to final-year medical students, and another to UGME deans at 9 English-speaking medical schools in Canada. The medical student survey assessed students’ knowledge and self-reported competence in managing patients with obesity. The dean’s survey assessed how management of patients with obesity is taught within the UGME curriculum.Results: 133 (6.9%) and 180 (9.3%) out of 1936 eligible students completed the knowledge and self-reported competence parts of the survey, respectively. Mean knowledge score was 10.5 (2.1) out of 18. Students had greatest knowledge about etiology of obesity and goals of treatment, and poorest knowledge about physiology and maintenance of weight loss. Mean self-reported competence score was 2.5 (0.86) out of 4. Students felt most competent assessing diet for unhealthy behaviors and calculating body mass index. Five (56%) out of 9 deans completed the survey. A mean of 14.6 (5.0) curricular hours were spent on teaching management of obesity.Conclusions: Canadian medical students lack adequate knowledge and feel inadequately prepared to manage patients with obesity. Changes to UGME curricula may help address this gap in education.