Fostering Pediatric Primary Care Providers Promotion of Weight Management Programs to Patients

Abstract

Pediatric weight management programs generally obtain new patients by referrals from primary care providers (PCPs). Referrals are not always endorsed by PCPs. Research shows that there are multiple factors promoting or inhibiting referrals from occurring. The intent of this research project was to determine the reasons why patients are not being referred to weight management programs and develop recommendations to improve the referral rate. This was a cross-sectional study of PCP providers in Delaware (DE). The sample consisted of all physician and resident members of the Delaware Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (DEAAP). The findings from this study offer methods in which weight management programs can potentially improve referral rates. These include marketing to parents and patients, opening additional clinic sites, providing positive experiences for patients, improving obesity education and developing guidelines on obesity management for PCPs.