Experiences and perceptions of dietitians for obesity management: a general practice qualitative study

Background Multi-component lifestyle interventions are the first line treatment for obesity. Dietitians ideally placed healthcare professionals to deliver such interventions. However, only a small proportion of patients with obesity referred by general practice dietitians, and reasons this not clear. The present study aimed explore professionals’ (GPHCPs) experiences perceptions dietitians in context management. Methods A convenience sample GPHCPs practicing UK was recruited via targeted social media strategy, using virtual snowball sampling. Data were collected semi-structured interviews analysed framework analysis. Results In total, 20 participants interviewed (11 nurses nine practitioners). Experiences referring dietetic intervention resulted two main themes: (i) access barriers (ii) consult experience. Three themes emerged from participants’ role dietitians: utilising expertise; dietitian; (iii) time. Participants experienced accessing management felt that having dietitian working within their team would help address this. Having embedded perceived have potential alleviate GPHCPs’ clinical time pressures, offer opportunities upskilling, may improve patient engagement Conclusions embedding be valuable beneficial Our findings provide support funding roles UK.