JAMA has published a patient handout explaining the categories of weight loss medications. You have to sign in to download the PDF, but anyone can view it in the link.
The need for clinicians of all types to be engaged in conversations with patients about obesity is obvious from a JAMA Medical News brief, which points out:
Since 1990, obesity has doubled among adults aged >25 years or older and among adolescents aged 15 to 24
If the trend continues, by 2050:
- About 256 million individuals will be obese
- 1 in 5 children will be obese
- 1 in 3 adolescents will be obese
Obesity is perhaps the single most modifiable risk factor among patients with chronic wounds of all types. Wound care practitioners often spend more time with patients than any other practitioner, and thus may be the healthcare professionals most able to have these difficult conversations. I know it is easy to say that it is not “our job,” but from the standpoint of wound management, it is.
Dr. Fife is a world renowned wound care physician dedicated to improving patient outcomes through quality driven care. Please visit my blog at CarolineFifeMD.com and my Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/carolinefifemd/videos
The opinions, comments, and content expressed or implied in my statements are solely my own and do not necessarily reflect the position or views of Intellicure or any of the boards on which I serve.
