Diagnosis and management of obesity: A survey of general practitioners' awareness of and familiarity with the 2006 Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines

摘要

Objective: This study assessed Nova Scotia's general practitioners' awareness of and familiarity with the 2006 Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management and Prevention of Obesity in Adults and Children. It also explored the frequency with which general practitioners measured adult or pediatric weight, calculated adult or pediatric body mass index (BMI), and measured adult waist circumference in overweight and obese patients. Methods: A random sample of 425 office-based general practitioners was selected to complete a mailed questionnaire. Results: Overall, 37.5% of respondents reported being aware of the guidelines. Those who were aware of the guidelines were significantly more likely to calculate pediatric or adult BMI than those who were not. The mean familiarity rating was low: the higher a respondent's familiarity with the guidelines, the more likely that pediatric weight would be measured and pediatric BMI calculated. Respondents with access to electronic medical records (EMRs) were more likely to calculate BMI and measure adult waist circumference than those without EMRs. Conclusions: General practitioners' awareness of and familiarity with the guidelines was low, but for those who were aware of them, the guidelines had a significant impact on the frequency of some of the recommended assessments.