Brief training in patient-centered counseling for healthy weight management increases counseling self-efficacy and goal setting among pediatric primary care providers: results of a pilot program

Abstract

Background: We hypothesized that training in patient-centered counseling would improve self-efficacy and quality of weight management-related counseling provided by pediatric primary care physicians (PCPs).

Methods: A total of 36 PCPs attended a brief (2-hour) training and consented to participate in an evaluation. Training impact was assessed using self-administered, pretraining and posttraining surveys and a review of patient charts from prior to and from 6 and 12 months after training for a random subsample of 19 PCPs (10 charts/timepoint per PCP).

Results: Self-reported effectiveness at obesity prevention and treatment increased from 16.7% to 44.4% (P = .01) and from 19.4% to 55.6% (P < .001), respectively. Self-efficacy in counseling and motivating patients increased from 44.4% to 80.6% (P < .001) and 27.8% to 63.9% (P < .001), respectively. Goal documentation increased from 3.9% to 16.4% and 57.9% at 6 months and 12 months posttraining, respectively.

Conclusions: Brief training in patient-centered counseling appears to increase self-efficacy and the frequency and quality of weight-related counseling provided by PCPs.

Keywords: motivational interviewing; obesity; patient-centered counseling; pediatrics; primary care.