Project Summary
PCORI implementation projects promote the use of findings from PCORI-funded studies in real-world healthcare and other settings. These projects build toward broad use of evidence to inform healthcare decisions.
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This PCORI-funded implementation project is putting a weight management program that includes online education and additional support in place at clinics to help patients manage their weight. |
More than 70% of U.S. adults have overweight or obesity. Clinical guidelines recommend lifestyle interventions and counseling to support weight loss for all patients with obesity and for patients with overweight who have cardiovascular risk factors or obesity-related comorbidities. But clinicians, such as doctors or nurses, have limited time during clinic visits to support weight management. |
What is the goal of this implementation project?
Programs that support lifestyle changes like healthy eating and exercise can help patients manage their weight. A PCORI-funded research study adapted a 12-month online weight management program and combined it with support from population health managers, who are non-clinical staff who help primary care clinics. Compared with patients who received usual care or the online program alone, patients who received the combined program lost more weight after one year. They also felt more confident about losing weight.
This project is putting the combined approach in place at clinics in Massachusetts to help patients manage their weight.
What will this project do?
The project team is working with eight sites connected to a Massachusetts health system. The team is adapting the combined approach for specialty clinics and community settings and for diverse patients, including those at risk for heart problems.
Patients can use the online program to access education, meal plans and recipes, and tools for tracking weight, diet, and activity. A coach checks in with patients regularly to give guidance and feedback and to answer questions.
The project team will work with sites to:
- Train patient navigators to serve patients across multiple clinical settings. Navigators help enroll patients, monitor their progress, and update clinicians.
- Train clinicians and clinic staff to manage overweight and obesity, refer patients to the program, and work with patient navigators.
- Add the online program to the electronic health record, or EHR, system to help clinic staff identify and refer patients to services.
- Identify clinician champions at each site to promote the program.
- Provide sites with ongoing support, including through monthly meetings.
- Create a guide to help other clinics use the program in the future.
What is the expected impact of this project?
The project is demonstrating what’s required to put the program in place at clinics with diverse staffing structures and workflows.
At least 5,000 patients will receive the program. The project evaluation will confirm that the program is working as intended to help patients with overweight or obesity manage their weight.
More about this implementation project:
Stakeholders Involved in This Project
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Implementation Strategies
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Evaluation OutcomesTo document implementation:
To assess healthcare and health outcomes:
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Project Information
Key Dates
Initial PCORI-Funded Research Study
This implementation project focuses on putting findings into practice from this completed PCORI-funded research study: Testing an Online Program with and without Health Management Support to Help Patients Manage Their Weight