Having a conversation around weight management can be challenging to navigate. It will always come from a place of care and concern but trying to convey this in a way that doesn’t offend or upset the patient can be difficult. One of our Sports & Spinal Exercise Physiologists has provided some helpful tips on how best a clinician can bring up the conversation of weight management.
Acknowledge the Reason For the Appointment
- Address the main health concerns first.
- Approach conversation with respect.
- Use active listening for the first 2 minutes and allow the patient to discuss their health.
- 5A approach- Ask, Assess, Advice, Agree, Assist.
Questions To Ask
- How is your weight affecting your life?
- How have you tried to lose weight?
- What do you think are the reasons for your weight gain?
- History taking; evaluate diet, exercise, and sleeping patterns.
- Insight of previous diets, medication, and exercise.
- Don’t prescribe the same thing if it wasn’t effective.
- Explore the patient’s understanding of their health and provide education.
How To Address Time Constraints
- Establish a relationship with your patients and ensure they feel heard and listened to.
- If patients feel judged or your bias, they are unlikely to return.
- Give a handout/complete homework such as a food/sleep/exercise diary.
- Follow up in 1-2 weeks’ time.
How To Ensure Patient Engagement
- Acknowledge weight gain is a chronic and relapsing condition.
- Talk about realistic goals and link to previous weight loss:
- How much did you lose?
- How long did it take you to lose?
- What were the roadblocks that resulted in regaining weight?
- Acknowledge roadblocks in the initial stage.
- Develop strategies to address roadblocks,