Improving obesity management training in family medicine: Multi-methods evaluation of the 5AsT-MD pilot course

Abstract

Background : Quality, evidence-based obesity management training for family medicine residents is needed to better support patients. To address this gap, we developed a comprehensive course based on the 5As of Obesity Management™ (ASK, ASSESS, ADVISE, AGREE, ASSIST), a framework and suite of resources to improve residents' knowledge and confidence in obesity counselling. This study assessed the course's impact on residents' attitudes, beliefs, and confidence with obesity counselling. Methods: The course combines lectures with a bariatric empathy suit experience, standardized and in-clinic patient practice, and narrative reflections. Using a multi-methods design we measured changes in 42 residents' attitudes, beliefs, and self-confidence and thematically analyzed the narrative reflections to understand residents' experience with the course content and pedagogy. Results: Following the course, residents reported improved attitudes towards people living with obesity and improved confidence for obesity counselling. Pre/post improvement in BAOP scores (n = 32) were significant (p