Interactions Between Patient and General Practitioner

Obesity is a public health crisis, and doctors are on the front lines of trying to help their patients reduce their weight and improve their health. However, previous research has found that there can be communication difficulties between doctors and patients, especially when it comes to the underlying causes of excess weight. Patients may attribute their weight to genetics or hormones, while doctors are more likely to focus on behaviors like nutrition and exercise. This disagreement can lead to tension during consultations and make it harder for patients to follow their doctors' advice. In this study, researchers wanted to see if the disagreement between patients and their doctors varied based on the patients' body mass index (BMI) and the difference in BMI between the patient and the doctor.