Building Successful Models in Primary Care to Improve the Management of Adult Patients with Obesity

Abstract

Although several obesity clinical practice guidelines are available and relevant for primary care, a practical and effective medical model for treating obesity is necessary. The aim of this study was to develop and implement a holistic population health-based framework with components to support primary care-based obesity management in US health care organizations. The Obesity Care Model Collaborative (OCMC) was conducted with guidance and expertise of an advisory committee, which selected participating health care organizations based on prespecified criteria. A committee comprising obesity and quality improvement specialists and representatives from each organization developed and refined the obesity care framework for testing and implementing guideline-based practical interventions targeting obesity. These interventions were tracked over time, from an established baseline to 18 months post implementation. Ten geographically diverse organizations, treating patients with diverse demographics, insurance coverage, and health status, participated in the collaborative. The key interventions identified for managing obesity in primary care were applicable across the 4 OCMC framework domains: community, health care organization, care team, and patient/family. Care model components were developed within each domain to guide the primary care of obesity based on each organization's structure, resources, and culture. Key interventions included development of quality monitoring systems, training of leadership and staff, identifying clinical champions, patient education, electronic health record best practice alerts, and establishment of community partnerships, including the identification of external resources. This article describes the interventions developed based on the framework, with a focus on implementation of the model and lessons learned.

Recommendations on self‐management interventions for adults living with obesity: COMPAR‐EU project

“…It is essential to avoid placing the entire responsibility for obesity management on the individual and instead, a collaborative environment should be fostered 61 . We also consider that it is important to acknowledge that the lack of trained staff to meet the needs of individuals with obesity and the absence of multidisciplinary work can hinder the implementation and success of SMIs 61–63 …”