Management of obese patients by hospital based doctors in Malta

Abstract

Aim: To study the management of obese patients by hospital based doctors in the Department of Medicine at Mater Dei Hospital. Method: A questionnaire was distributed online to all doctors in the Medical Department during March 2012. A total of 2 weeks were allowed in order to submit the completed questionnaire. RESULTS: The questionnaire was sent to 215 doctors in the medical department and 61 doctors (28.4%) responded. Conclusion: Although there was a rather poor response rate, almost all doctors who responded agree that obesity is a big health issue in Malta. Only half of the doctors who responded feel confident and knowledgeable enough in giving weight loss advice and many feel that consultation time is inadequate. This probably explains the sporadic documentation of BMI, why some doctors fail to emphasize the importance of healthy balanced diet and encourage physical activity on a regular basis and why pharmacotherapy is largely underutilised.