Study highlights ways to improve primary care visits for people living with obesity

Key Takeaways:

• A new study led by Drexel University shows that people living with obesity strongly prefer primary care visits that emphasise empathy, respect, and freedom from stigma.
• Surveyed participants rated an “ideal” visit scenario at 9.4 out of 10, citing the importance of attentive listening, respectful communication, and not attributing all health concerns solely to weight.
• Researchers recommend that clinician training, office practices, and referral systems should explicitly address weight stigma, with a greater focus on patient-centred, respectful care.
  

Understanding barriers in primary care

Accessing health care can be difficult under any circumstances, but systemic barriers make the experience particularly challenging for some groups. For people living with obesity, weight-related stigma and inequities in health care often negatively influence their experiences when visiting primary care physicians. Such encounters can lead to frustration, mistrust, and in some cases, avoidance of care altogether.

Redesigning the “ideal” primary care visit

To address these challenges, researchers at Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions worked with people living with obesity to explore what an “ideal” primary care visit might look like. Their findings, recently published in Patient Education and Counseling, provide an evidence-based model for improving everyday interactions between clinicians and patients.

The project was conducted in two phases.

In the first phase, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) partnered with Thoughtform, an experience design studio, to work directly with people who have obesity. Participants shared their personal experiences, highlighting both barriers and possible solutions within primary care. Concerns included a limited sense of rapport with clinicians and the lack of appropriate physical resources such as larger blood pressure cuffs or gowns that fit comfortably.

From these discussions, OAC and Thoughtform developed a story-based narrative that illustrated a more positive primary care experience. The scenario depicted a setting where patients were listened to, treated kindly, and not judged for their weight. Illustrations were included to help visualise these improvements.

Validating the “ideal” model with patient input

In the second phase, the research team surveyed 250 American adults living with obesity, asking them to compare the “ideal” scenario with their most recent real-life doctor’s visit. The results were clear: participants overwhelmingly preferred the redesigned model, giving it an average rating of 9.4 out of 10.

Respondents highlighted several aspects that made the “ideal” scenario preferable. These included clinicians who:

• listened attentively,
• showed respect,
• avoided attributing every health issue to weight, and
• referred patients to specialists who treated them with empathy and professionalism.
  

“The survey results showed that people living with obesity want empathetic, respectful health care,” explained Kristal Lyn Brown, PhD, assistant professor in the College and lead author of the study. “We hope these results encourage providers and their staff to make their spaces more inclusive and free of weight bias and stigma.”

The value of empathy and common sense in care

Brown emphasised that the findings underscore the importance of recognising patients’ humanity.

“People with obesity are asking for basic, every day, human interactions — not resource-intensive changes but literally common-sense practices, of which our primary care offices often fall short,” she said.

The study suggests that simple changes in tone, communication, and approach can make a significant difference. By fostering empathy and respect, health care teams may help patients feel more comfortable attending primary care appointments, reducing the risk of avoidance. Over time, these practices could also build greater trust between providers and patients.

Recommendations for practice and training

Based on the findings, the research team outlined several key recommendations:

• Clinician training should explicitly address weight stigma and promote patient-centred, respectful communication.
• Front office staff should be trained to recognise and address bias, as the patient experience often begins at reception.
• Referral practices should prioritise specialists known for respectful and empathetic care.
• Patient-centred dialogue should allow individuals to tell their story without assumptions that every concern is weight-related.
  

Including patient voices in systemic change

Brown stressed that beyond individual practice, the study highlights the value of including patient voices in the design of health systems and research projects. Actively partnering with people living with obesity ensures that proposed solutions address real-world needs, and helps create care environments that are inclusive, respectful, and free from stigma.