Healthcare Providers' Perceptions of Anti-obesity Medications: Results from the OBSERVE Study

Objective:
While anti-obesity medications (AOMs) are approved for use in the US, only a small percentage of persons meeting eligibility criteria report using an AOM. The OBSERVE Study examined the perceptions of healthcare providers (HCPs) with respect to obesity and obesity treatment to identify barriers to AOM utilization.

Methods:
A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted in May-December 2022 in a diverse sample of US healthcare providers. Participants were asked about their beliefs regarding obesity and AOMs.

Results:
HCPs (n=504) were highly experienced (mean of 19.1 years in practice, SD=9.0) and spent most of their time in direct patient care (mean=90.0%, SD=11.7%). Participants were recruited to a survey study about prescription anti-obesity medicines and asked about their beliefs regarding obesity and AOMs. The sample included general practice physicians (n=76), internists (n=70), registered dieticians (n=30), obesity medicine (n=48), bariatric surgeons (n=47), endocrinologists (n=45), cardiologists (n=47), physician assistants and nurse practitioners (n=50), and other specialists (n=91). Nearly all HCPs (94.4%) agreed that “obesity has a significant impact on long-term health,” and 87.5% agreed that obesity is a disease. 83.9% of HCPs agreed that they are looking forward to new AOM options being available and 75.2% agreed that there is a need for more effective AOM options than are currently available; however, 68.2% of HCPs are concerned about the cost to patients and 56.7% are concerned about long-term side-effects. 80.8% indicated that sustained weight reduction will require lifestyle changes even when taking the AOM. Additionally, 72.6% see AOMs as a great way to help kick start a patient in their weight loss efforts while 44.6% are cautious to prescribe new AOMs due to the safety history of prior AOMs. Features of a new AOM that would encourage HCPs to prescribe include that the costs were covered by insurance (85.7%), that it would help address other illnesses associated with obesity (83.7%), that it helps reduce appetite (77.8%), that it increases metabolic rate without stimulant properties (73.6%), and that it is effective in weight loss and maintenance as long as it continues to be taken (72.2%).

Discussion/Conclusion:
HCPs reported a need for additional AOMs and are believe they can be prescribed in combination with lifestyle changes. Concerns about the potential for side effects remain prominent. As new AOMs become available, communicating data to HCPs on long-term safety, weight effects, and treatment effects on obesity related conditions will assist HCPs in clinical decision making.