The use of Facebook in a community pharmacist-led weight management programme – a London-based proof of concept study

Abstract Introduction In the United Kingdom (UK), 63% of adults are overweight,(1) costing NHS £6.1 billion/year. With public using digital technology over healthcare professionals (HCPs) for health advice, this warrants an investigation use in community pharmacy, given its previous successful use.(2) Aim To determine feasibility and perceptions a pharmacist (CP)-led weight management programme (WMP), enhanced by Facebook support group (FSG). Methods A proof concept study was conducted between January-March 2020. Recruitment via university group. Inclusion criteria: 18 years; overweight; no medical conditions. Participants attended face-to-face meetings (ftf) with CP final year pharmacy student (PS) on two occasions (0 (baseline) 4 weeks). At baseline, participants were loss set goals. During ftf, had height, weight, waist circumference (WC) measurements CP/PS discussed eating habits, exercise alcohol. accessed FSG (created (December 2019) moderated CP). Here, they received posts about diet, motivation. to have their taken ftf at 8-weeks, however, COVID-19 meant self-declare these video call. Following 8-week programme, completed 4-section survey experience (signing up service; comparison attempts; overall perceptions). Question types included multiple choice, Likert scale free text comments. Data analysed Excel (Microsoft Corporation 2016) changes circumference, alcohol being calculated. Results Fifty-five recruited. lost follow-up, most (n=12/18) citing COVID-19. Of 37 remaining (70.3% female, mean age=37 years), 22 obese, rest overweight. Mean loss, percentage WC reduction 4-weeks 1.6 kg (SD+/- 1.7 kg), 1.8% 1.9%) 2 cm 1.96 cm) respectively. week 8 self-declared. 8-weeks from baseline 2.7 (SD +/- 2.6 kg) 3% 3%). Only five participants’ self-declared 3.6 cm. Five moved healthier BMI classifications 8. All least weekly 13 accessing it daily. Diet popular (n=20/37). learned portion control increasing fruits/vegetables intake. would recommend friends/family. Conclusion An CPWMP, FSG, supported lose body weight. page regularly positive usefulness. One limitation that lockdown prevented therefore, used. The pandemic has highlighted importance embracing service delivery, particularly when in-person contact is limited. implication provides delivery could work practice. References 1. GOV.UK. Tackling obesity: empowering children live lives [Internet]. Department Health Social Care. 2020 [cited Aug 18]. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-obesity-government-strategy/tackling-obesity-empowering-adults-and-children-to-live-healthier-lives 2. Crilly P, Kayyali R. Systematic Review Randomized Controlled Trials Telehealth Digital Technology Use Community Pharmacists Improve Public Health. Pharmacy 2020;8(3):137. https://www.mdpi.com/2226–4787/8/3/137