What influences patient decisions when selecting an obesity treatment?

Objective

The objectives of this study were to understand patient preferences for obesity treatments, to describe how patients choose treatment options, and what factors influence their decisions.

Methods

This participatory action research used purposeful sampling to recruit 10 patients with complications of obesity. Photovoice was used as the qualitative research methodology. Recruitment took place in specialist clinics for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. Two males and eight females aged 18–75 years, with a BMI greater than 35 kg/m² were recruited. Participants watched a 60-min ​video explaining nutritional, pharmacological, and surgical therapies in equipoise. Data was collected using photographs with a disposal camera followed by one-to-one semi-structured interviews. Afterward, this analysis utilised reflective thematic analysis.

Results

Five main themes were identified that influenced patients' decisions when selecting an obesity treatment: 1] Accessibility issues, 2] Polypharmacy, 3] Fears around future health 4] Lack of Support 5] Information Mismanagement.

Conclusion

The themes identified in this study represent the patients’ voices for those living with obesity complications and what influences their decisions on treatment options. The findings underscore the need for a holistic and patient-centred approach to the management of obesity and its associated complications. Patient-centred care including knowledge, health literacy, support, and participation is essential to providing effective care for patients with obesity to make decisions between treatment options.