Table 5 Questionnaire criteria, criteria coming out of interviews, and examples

1. Efficacy to treat a problem of high priority

a. Course contribution: motivation to learn, and to work harder

- "I used to treat obesity as something that needed cosmetics now I know it's a disease that needs a cure...and it is my job"

- "I've a lot more to learn...I wish I had more courses like this one...It's very important...I'm ready to work hard...to do a lot more..."

2. Efficacy to give up to date precise information

b. Course contribution: enriched important knowledge, treatment perspectives, skills, practical tools and tips

- "Now I have the tools, a lot of information...now I have the right perspective...I shouldn't be angry with him but supportive...with the tools it's much easier...It's his will and actions and our help. I feel I know how to help him...the course was helpful"

3. Efficacy to persuade, support and help patients make decisions

c. Efficacy to persuade patients to treat obesity

- "Today I'm more patient...I know when it's the right moment to bring up the issue...and I know how to do it"

- "I can use emotions to persuade him"

- "Before taking the course, I wasn't self-confident enough to do it, now I feel free to talk about this...I can show him statistics on obesity..."

4. Efficacy to make patients plan behavior and situations

d. Efficacy to make patients plan, monitor and control health behavior

- "Since he is aware of his expectations I can make him plan or act..."

- "under my guidance he can see what's right and what's wrong... and he can change things..."

- "when he understands the process he can initiate behavior"

5. Efficacy to make patients monitor behavior

6. Efficacy to make patients control behavior and situations

7. Efficacy to treat obesity regardless of previous failures or unsuccessful experiences

e. FP performance reports

- "What you taught in the course works!"

- "Now that I know that taking small steps is better than expecting a dramatic weight loss – it is easier...and the patient is happier.

I now treat 10 obese people..."

- "I now treat 8 people, before taking the course, I did not treat any"

- "I have 9, I was given feedback by a patient... she said: I lost two pounds, thank you !...you are great..."

8. Efficacy to treat obesity regardless of lack of time.

f. Efficient time management

- "I'll tell you my secret, everybody starts work at 8.00, I com at 7.00.

I'm ready to do it, I want to succeed, after all, it is my job"

- "I make a double appointment for an obese patient..."

- "If I treat obesity now, I save time, I won't have to treat other diseases in the future"

- "I keep thinking about how to be more efficient, I have to do something about the time!"

- "I know that when I want something I find the time"

9. Efficacy to bring about other people's involvement in the patient's behavior change process

g. Better done with someone's help

- "I tell her, doing it alone is too difficult. You should bring your husband or a friend to the next visit"

h. FP weight loss

- "I lost weight as a result of the course"

i. Enhancing efficacy beliefs by reflection, feedback and supportive climate

- "Did you hear the FPs' reaction to my presentation?...Wow!... that was great...I understood I had great success"

- "I was given feedback by patients, now I know I can!"

- "The best thing that happened to me in this course is that it made me think"

- "I could open myself to talk about things that I hadn't done before...I think it's because of the warm climate"