The attitudes and beliefs of medical residents and fellows toward obesity

The attitudes and beliefs of physicians predict the physician’s intent to treat obese patients. This study examined medical residents’ and fellows' attitudes toward obesity. To our knowledge, no study has investigated the attitudes of medical fellows or examined the attitudes and beliefs of the various specialties of medical residents specializing in various toward obesity. Moreover, no study has researched the medical residents or fellows’ weight and their attitudes or beliefs toward obesity. Participants (n=314) completed the “Physician” and “Obesity” survey. A descriptive analysis, the correlation between the participants’ formal obesity education and their competency in treating obesity, and an ANOVA to assess the statistical significance of the participant’s weights and their attitudes towards obesity were explored. Our findings suggest that even though the participants agree that obesity can be treated successfully, they are unsure of their ability to treat it. Moreover, results revealed that heavier physicians perceived an increased need for obesity training and were more empathetic. Statistics showed a stronger correlation between the inclusion of obesity education and the physicians’ ability to treat mild versus severe obesity. These results suggest the need for adequate comprehensive obesity training during medical residency and fellowship. Most participants omitted answering whether their obesity training was adequate, indicating further investigation and a need for future research on the adequacy of obesity training. Future research on the components of obesity in the curriculum during medical residency and fellowship, based on a shortened survey, is warranted.

Author

• Zayat, Janane Fuad Haddad

Identifier

hdl:10057/27839

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:soar.wichita.edu:10057/27839