Obesity Treatment Pathways and Implementation in Health Systems.

Abstract

Background: Although clinical practice guidelines are valuable for managing obesity and should be the foundation for health system protocols for screening, diagnosis, and treatment, these guidelines need to be translated and implemented within clinical care pathways that account for organizations' processes, structures, and cultures. Variation in resources across systems is another challenge.

Methods: A narrative review was undertaken to assess how obesity treatment pathways can support health systems and HCPs in informed decision-making for obesity management, and to offer practical considerations for developing and implementing health care system treatment pathways.

Findings: Little publicly available information exists on developing and implementing obesity treatment pathways in clinical practice within health systems. This review discusses the key elements of obesity care, including screening, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring, and outlines the roles and responsibilities of health care professionals within each step of the pathway.

Conclusion: This review offers resources and considerations for developing and implementing obesity care pathways in primary care, specialty care, and various other settings to assist health systems and health care professionals in making informed, evidence-based decisions in obesity management.