Title : Prescribing GLP-1s for obesity in primary care
Abstract:
Purpose: To determine the barriers to prescribing glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists for the treatment of obesity in primary care and explore the impact of an educational program on prescribing practices by nurse practitioners.
Design: Quasi-experimental, pre-posttest, one-cohort research study.
Methods: Nurse practitioner participants were provided electronic educational materials regarding glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists and treatment barriers encountered in primary care. Pre and three-month post-surveys assessed changes in prescribing practices and treatment barriers.
Results: Six nurse practitioners completed the study. In the three primary care nurse practitioners in Missouri, the primary outcome was increased obesity management prescribing practices of glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists. Medication cost was the prominent prescriber barrier. Low activity level and poor food choices were the most prominent perceived patient barriers.
Conclusion: Evidence suggests glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists provide successful long-term results in obesity management. Increasing prescriber knowledge and addressing obesity treatment barriers may provide a beneficial impact on glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist use for obesity management.
Audience Take Away:
- Increased glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist provider education can lead to increased prescribing rates and improved obesity outcomes.
- Identification of patient and provider barriers to obesity management may contribute to initiation and success of obesity treatment in practice.
- Improving obesity outcomes reduces he burden of obesity on the individual and health system.
- This research design could be implemented in any clinic setting that is capable of administering anonymous surveys.
