The difference the system makes.

Background: Obesity is prevalent and tertiary prevention of the complications of obesity can be provided through publicly funded obesity management clinics (PFOMCs) as well as private obesity or general practice clinics.

Objective: This article uses two case studies of patients living with obesity managed by the same general practitioner (with a special interest in obesity) to highlight the differences in care in a PFOMC compared to a privately billed general practice clinic.

Discussion: The case studies demonstrate that care provided by both systems have different barriers related to wait times, delivery of care, cost and access to multidisciplinary care for the patient and different remuneration for the doctor. Reducing the effects of obesity and its complications must include primary and secondary prevention strategies in addition to the tertiary management provided by medically supervised weight management clinics in public or private settings.