INTRODUCTION: In the US, obesity rates are higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Rural access to treatment of obesity is limited by a lack of qualified clinicians and by transportation and financial barriers. We describe a telemedicine weight management programme, Wellness Connect, developed through a partnership of academic clinicians and rural primary care providers in South Carolina, and present utilisation and weight outcomes from seven patient cohorts. METHODS: Eight bi-weekly sessions were provided via telemedicine videoconferencing for groups of patients at these rural primary care clinics. Protocol-based sessions were led by registered dietitians, exercise physiologists and clinical psychologists at a central urban location. RESULTS: Of 138 patients who started the programme, 62% (N = 86) of patients met the criteria for completion. Completers lost an average of 3.5% (standard deviation (SD) = 3.9%) body weight, which was statistically significant (p < .001) and corresponded with an average loss of 3.8 kg (SD = 4.5 kg). There were no differences in weight change among clinics (p = .972). Overall, patients and providers reported satisfaction with the programme and identified several challenges to sustainability. DISCUSSION: The use of innovative telemedicine interventions continues to be necessary to alleviate barriers to accessing evidence-based services to reduce chronic diseases and decrease obesity rates among rural populations.
INTRODUCTION: In the US, obesity rates are higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Rural access to treatment of obesity is limited by a lack of qualified clinicians and by transportation and financial barriers. We describe a telemedicine weight management programme, Wellness Connect, developed through a partnership of academic clinicians and rural primary care providers in South Carolina, and present utilisation and weight outcomes from seven patient cohorts. METHODS: Eight bi-weekly sessions were provided via telemedicine videoconferencing for groups of patients at these rural primary care clinics. Protocol-based sessions were led by registered dietitians, exercise physiologists and clinical psychologists at a central urban location. RESULTS: Of 138 patients who started the programme, 62% (N = 86) of patients met the criteria for completion. Completers lost an average of 3.5% (standard deviation (SD) = 3.9%) body weight, which was statistically significant (p < .001) and corresponded with an average loss of 3.8 kg (SD = 4.5 kg). There were no differences in weight change among clinics (p = .972). Overall, patients and providers reported satisfaction with the programme and identified several challenges to sustainability. DISCUSSION: The use of innovative telemedicine interventions continues to be necessary to alleviate barriers to accessing evidence-based services to reduce chronic diseases and decrease obesity rates among rural populations.
Authors: John A Batsis; Auden C McClure; Aaron B Weintraub; Diane Sette; Sivan Rotenberg; Courtney J Stevens; Diane Gilbert-Diamond; David F Kotz; Stephen J Bartels; Summer B Cook; Richard I Rothstein Journal: Implement Sci Commun Date: 2020-09-30
Authors: John A Batsis; Curtis L Petersen; Matthew M Clark; Summer B Cook; David Kotz; Tyler L Gooding; Meredith N Roderka; Rima I Al-Nimr; Dawna Pidgeon; Ann Haedrich; K C Wright; Christina Aquila; Todd A Mackenzie Journal: BMC Geriatr Date: 2021-01-12 Impact factor: 3.921
Authors: Lu Hu; Paige Illiano; Mary Lou Pompeii; Collin J Popp; Anna Y Kharmats; Margaret Curran; Katherine Perdomo; Shirley Chen; Michael Bergman; Eran Segal; Mary Ann Sevick Journal: Contemp Clin Trials Date: 2021-08-02 Impact factor: 2.261
Authors: John A Batsis; Auden C McClure; Aaron B Weintraub; David F Kotz; Sivan Rotenberg; Summer B Cook; Diane Gilbert-Diamond; Kevin Curtis; Courtney J Stevens; Diane Sette; Richard I Rothstein Journal: Obes Sci Pract Date: 2019-10-17