A qualitative study of GPs' views towards obesity: are they fighting or giving up?

Objectives: Several studies indicate that general practitioners (GPs) are not taking the issue
of obesity as seriously as they should. Therefore, the aim of this study was to understand
GPs' views about obesity and obese people and how these professionals perceive their role
in the treatment of this disease.
Study design: Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews.
Methods: Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with Portuguese GPs. Data
were analyzed according to thematic analysis procedures.
Results: GPs are negative about their own role in obesity treatment. Although they believe it
is part of their job to advise obese patients on the health risks of obesity, the majority of
doctors think they are not making any difference in getting their patients to make long
term lifestyle changes. GPs hold negative attitudes towards these patients blaming them
for being unmotivated and non-compliant and are also pessimistic about their ability to
lose weight. Doctors are facing a dilemma in their practices: they want to play an active
role but, due to a set of negative beliefs and perceived barriers, they are playing a relatively
passive role, feeling defeated and unmotivated, which is reflected in a decrease of efforts
and a willing to give up on most of the cases.
Conclusions: This issue should be taken in to account during physicians' education since
doctors should be aware of how their own beliefs and attitudes influence their behaviour
and practices, compromising, therefore, the adherence to and the success in obesity
treatment. They seem to need more precise guidelines and better tools for screening and
management of obesity, more referral options, and improved coordination with other
specialities