The ideal clinic should be able to:
- Deliver a weight-loss programme that is tailored to the individual.
- Offer regular and ongoing support.
- Embrace treatment modalities ranging from patient self-help groups and publications to commercial weight loss programmes.
- Offer lifestyle change support from specialist nurses, dieticians and physicians.
- Provide access to specialist dietetic advice.
- Offer specialist advice on increasing physical activity levels.
- Prescribe modern weight-loss pharmaceutical agents.
- Advise on the application of bariatric surgery techniques.
Such weight-loss programmes can be delivered in either primary or secondary care. The correct approach to individual patient management varies depending on the level of expertise and the facilities available.
An ideal clinic would be at a dedicated and specific time when obese patients would be able to make an appointment to see their clinician. Some patients, often for reasons of embarrassment, prefer not to attend surgery during normal routine clinic times because they think they would look out of place in the company of much leaner patients in the waiting room setting. However, this might not be practical and many clinics that are already delivering weight management services are ‘rolling clinics’ that obese patients are invited to attend during normal general medical clinic times.
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