Weight Management in a Rural Community: Creative Strategies to Improve Patient Outcomes

Aim

To assess if incorporation of weight management education and resources in the electronic health record of a rural community clinic and the utilization of these resources for a patient-provider goal setting conversation has any effects on patient outcomes.

Background

Obesity continues to be a global epidemic whose effects can be seen in patient outcomes and health systems. Rural populations have additional obstacles that make weight management more difficult.

Design

An evidence-based quality improvement project approach was developed.

Methods

A total of five patients were recruited in a community clinic in rural western Virginia. Utilizing the electronic health record, baseline weight, body mass index, and demographic information was obtained. Post-intervention data was collected at approximately three months and analyzed using a paired sample t-test.

Results

There was no statistically significant decrease in body mass index or weight at three months post-intervention. However, in a post-intervention survey all participants found the intervention helpful. Potential factors contributing to the null findings include small sample size and several participants were unable to follow up in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion

The incorporation of resources and educational information into the EHR and a patient-provider conversation were found to be helpful by the patients in their weight management journey. Patients in rural settings need resources specific to their population and barriers to weight loss. The utilization of the EHR can aid providers in having resources at their disposal, and future options may include telehealth coaching.