Eyster M, Omura D; Shands Healthcare at the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. eystema@shands.ufl.edu.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this presentation is to demonstrate how a large, academic medical center was able to successfully meet the needs of patients who are overweight through the collaboration development of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, weight management program. FOUNDATION: Based on the most recent clinical research guidelines published in the National Institute of Health’s Evidence Report (Clinical Guidelines on the Identification and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults) 34% of Americans are considered obese. Other than the primary impairments associated with obesity, individual’s in over 90% of all cases have secondary impairments of HTN, CAD, DM, CVA, sleep apnea and respiratory problems that further compromise their health status and increase their mortality rate. The NIH findings indicate that in order to be successful in weight management, individuals need to participate in three areas: 1. dietary, 2. exercise, 3. psychiatry. The basis of this report will be to describe how Shands Rehabilitation Services has collaboratively developed and successfully implemented a comprehensive weight management program. DESCRIPTION: Development and implementation of the Shands’ Weight Management Program: 1.) The director of rehabilitation services designates a .25 of a 1.0 FTE physical therapist line to the weight management program. Responsibilities include evaluation and management of patients with obesity and their primary and secondary impairments. 2.) Time allocated for regular collaboration with the weight management team of dietary, psychiatry and gastrointestinal surgeons attained to determine the individual needs of each patient. 3.) Patient recommendations on lifestyle changes, and adaptations to patients' immediate and surrounding environments developed. 4.) Physician, ancillary staff, and patient education on specific exercise guidelines utilized when treating patients with obesity. 5.) Development and implementation of personalized weight management home exercise programs. OBSERVATIONS: Patients’ success in losing weight and maintaining a healthy body weight correlates with results found in the NIH studies. Patients that participated fully in our comprehensive program (dietary, exercise, and behavioral components) were typically successful in losing weight and resolving associated secondary impairments. Patients that did not participate in all aspects of our comprehensive model were unsuccessful in managing their weight appropriately. CONCLUSIONS: Health care providers from all disciplines need to take time to understand the comprehensive benefits of working collaboratively. By constantly working to extend our skills as physical therapists to different health care professionals, a stronger understanding of physical therapy’s various applications can be utilized to meet the needs of individuals within our community. FUNDING SOURCE: None

Copyright 2004 by the American Physical Therapy Association

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