A challenge for healthcare professionals today is ensuring that the language used when talking to patients about weight is empathetic and nonjudgmental at its core. But there are more ways than just what you say that can help all your patients feel like your practice is a safe space to address any weight concerns:
Stock Size-Friendly Equipment and Furniture
Ensure that the things patients will be physically interacting with are accommodating of people of all sizes—from waiting room chairs to blood pressure arm cuffs.
Only Weigh Patients When Medically Necessary
Taking a patient’s weight is a traditional part of the intake process; however, the number jotted down isn’t always relevant to the medical concern at hand. Use your best judgment when deciding who and when to weigh.
Keep the Scale Private
Weight—and more specifically, the reading on the scale—can be a deeply personal number. You can help your patients feel more comfortable about stepping up onto the scale by keeping the device in a private room or restroom. You could also allow extra-shy patients to weigh themselves and write down their weight to you in a note.
Offer Check-ins When Possible
Your patient load and schedule will determine how many check-ins are possible with an individual. Still the more the better, so where possible arrange for progress check-ins occasionally. Telehealth and patient portals could be other options to keep patient contact open.
Share a Personalized Tool
For an in-appointment resource to help guide the conversation around weight, consider using our Personalized Weight Loss Assessment tool with your patient. It can also be used to determine a patient’s eligibility for CONTRAVE.
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