UK Doctors Adopt Action Plan to Address Obesity in Patients
The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) in the UK has published a report called Measuring Up: The Medical Profession's Prescription for the Nation's Obesity Crisis, setting out a 10 point action plan for healthcare professionals aimed at tackling the nation’s obesity crisis.Professor Terence Stephenson, a paediatrician and Chair of the Academy, said:
“As health professionals, we see it across all our disciplines – from the GP’s surgery to the operating table and everything in between. So it is no exaggeration to say that it is the biggest public health crisis facing the UK today."The report recognises that some clinicians are ‘insensitive, ineffective, and lack confidence’ when dealing with patients with weight problems, but goes on to point out that part of the problem is doctors do not have the services to refer patients to. Many of the recommendations in the report in fact seem to be calling for external changes directed at the fast food industry and media advertising. This is all well and good but it brings to mind those two most popular words in the english language, "you should".
The BMA comments on the point that doctors themselves need to measure up. The other consideration is that doctors may not want to be seen as 'insulting' their patients, as highlighted by Brian Regan in his comedy sketch below of a visit to the doctor. A stronger emphasis on patient communication skills training for physicians and medical students, would be a good thing! Enjoy the video!
Labels: Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, Brian Regan, comedy sketch, doctor patient interaction, obesity crisis, physician patient communication, public health, United Kingdom, visiting the doctor's office
posted by Ann Celestine @ 2:08 PM
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