Perspectives on Diabetes Care
This is the official blog of the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists where we share recent research and professional opinions on diabetes care and education.
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Virtual Meeting Session on Obesity Management
Aug 8, 2013, 01:00 AM
Thursday was a long day in clinic due to several patient appointments for diabetes and obesity management. I also was educating the two pharmacy students on my rotation. However, I was determined to listen to one of the General Sessions when I got home this evening. Between the two General Sessions, I listened to the presentation titled: 5As of Obesity Management by Dr. Arya Sharma. From this session, I was reminded about the following information:
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Only 5 to 10% of primary care visits are spent discussing obesity as the primary reason for the visit. Patients and physicians tend to avoid the discussion about obesity.
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Obesity is a chronic condition. As a pharmacist, I am knowledge about the medications, but I should remember that there is no cure for this disease.
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Obesity management is about getting healthier as the patient and physician should discuss and define success.
From this particular session, I learned that:
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Ideal weight should be a realistic weight.
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Similar approaches from other disease states, such as 5As and SMART goals, can apply to obesity management.
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The 4Ms of obesity management should include the assessment of the drivers, complications, and barriers of obesity – mental, mechanical, metabolic, and monetary reasons.
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Sleep, time, and stress are important factors in effective obesity management.
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Obesity management requires a multidisciplinary approach from a variety of health care professionals.
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Tools are available through a free account (after signing up) at www.obesitynetwork.ca.
Hearing Dr. Sharma’s presentation inspired me to continue my involvement in patient’s lives to provide tools and information for obesity management.