Table 3 Changes in perceived skills, professional attitudes and perceived challenges after obesity day

Perceived skills (1–3)

1 = Low to 3 = High

Pre Mean (SD)

Post Mean (SD)

Z

p

Pre Mean (SD)

6 month Post Mean (SD)

Z

p

 My ability to assess weight status and associated risk factors

2.35 (0.6)

2.49 (0.5)

−2.07

0.04

2.62 (0.5)

2.43 (0.7)

−1.00

0.32

 My ability to address weight management and obesity issues with patients

1.94 (0.6)

2.31 (0.5)

−4.23

< 0.001

1.93 (0.5)

2.19 (0.7)

−1.03

0.31

 My ability to teach and motivate patients toward physical activity

1.88 (0.5)

2.24 (0.5)

−3.80

< 0.001

2.00 (0.5)

2.27 (0.7)

−1.27

0.21

 My ability to teach and motivate patients toward healthy eating practices

1.98 (0.6)

2.27 (0.6)

− 3.40

0.001

2.00 (0.7)

2.25 (0.6)

−1.27

0.21

 My ability to use behavior modification techniques to make lifestyle changes in your patients

1.76 (0.6)

2.09 (0.6)

−3.88

< 0.001

1.68 (0.7)

1.88 ((0.8)

−1.34

0.18

 My ability to deal with family issues around weight management

1.52 (0.6)

1.96 (0.5)

−4.77

< 0.001

1.37 (0.5)

1.81 (0.6)

−2.11

0.03

 I do not feel that obesity intervention is part of my scope of practice

1.74 (1.0)

1.52 (0.9)

−1.52

0.13

1.75 (0.8)

1.64 (0.9)

−1.00

0.32

 I believe that a clinician’s role is simply to raise the issue of obesity rather than intervene

1.70 (0.7)

1.56 (0.7)

−1.60

0.11

1.75 (0.5)

1.71 (0.9)

−0.11

0.91

 I do not have time to deal with the issue of obesity in my practice

2.26 (1.1)

2.17 (1.0)

− 0.73

0.46

2.07 (1.0)

2.07 (1.2)

− 0.33

0.74

 Obesity is too difficult an issue to tackle therefore I do not address it in my practice

1.80 (0.7)

1.85 (0.8)

− 0.22

0.83

1.75 (0.8)

1.71 (0.9)

−0.45

0.66

 I feel overwhelmed by the issue of obesity

2.84 (1.1)

2.75 (1.1)

−0.75

0.45

3.18 (1.1)

2.78 (1.1)

−1.44

0.15

 I am not confident that any obesity intervention I attempt will make a difference

2.37 (0.9)

2.11 (0.7)

−1.67

0.09

2.56 (1.1)

2.29 (0.9)

−1.10

0.27

 I do not feel sufficiently educated or competent in obesity intervention strategies

2.90 (1.0)

2.17 (0.9)

−4.41

< 0.001

3.00 (1.0)

2.36 (1.2)

−2.07

0.04

 I do not know whom to refer patients in cases of obesity intervention

3.04 (1.2)

2.36 (1.0)

−3.88

< 0.001

3.12 (1.2)

2.43 (1.3)

−2.43

0.02

 I am not comfortable in discussing obesity with my patients

2.32 (1.0)

1.83 (0.8)

−3.76

< 0.001

2.37 (1.2)

1.79 (1.0)

−2.17

0.03

 I avoid bringing up the topic of obesity as I do not want to offend or jeopardize my relationship with my patients and/or their family members

2.27 (1.0)

1.97 (0.8)

−2.86

< 0.01

2.50 (1.1)

1.92 (0.9)

−2.31

0.02

 As a healthcare provider, I am extremely frustrated with the low success rate in managing obesity

3.66 (0.9)

3.42 (0.9)

−2.18

0.03

3.75 (0.7)

3.28 (0.9)

−2.13

0.03

 I feel that my patients will not be compliant and any obesity intervention efforts I attempt will have little impact, if any

2.59 (1.0)

2.40 (0.9)

−1.53

0.13

2.50 (1.0)

2.29 (0.9)

−1.13

0.23

 I do not feel the need to address obesity issues with my patients unless they look or act sick

1.89 (0.8)

1.72 (0.7)

−1.66

0.09

2.12 (1.03)

1.86 (1.0)

−0.83

0.41

 I fear that talking about obesity could do even more damage by leading my patient toward an eating disorder or other psychological problem

1.95 (0.8)

1.91 (0.8)

−0.36

0.72

2.18 (0.9)

2.14 (1.3)

−0.37

0.71

 Obesity intervention is not taught in my discipline’s curriculum before we enter practice

3.10 (1.3)

–

–

–

3.06 (1.4)

2.92 (1.3)

0.00

1.00

 There is limited professional training in this area (e.g. continuing professional development)

3.65 (1.0)

–

–

–

4.06 (0.9)

3.79 (1.1)

−1.41

0.16

 Healthcare providers in my discipline are not adequately compensated for treating obesity

3.46 (0.9)

–

–

–

3.68 (1.1)

3.36 (1.3)

−1.63

0.10

 There is a lack of appropriate referral options (e.g. dietitians or other related professionals)

3.46 (1.0)

–

–

–

3.68 (1.1)

3.57 (1.3)

−0.58

0.56

 There is a lack of patient education materials regarding obesity to distribute to our patients

3.55 (1.0)

–

–

–

4.00 (0.8)

3.64 (1.2)

−1.29

0.12

 Healthcare providers in my discipline need more guidance toward raising a sensitive issue such as obesity with our patients.

4.05 (0.8)

–

–

–

4.06 (0.9)

3.57 (1.3)

−1.47

0.14

 Healthcare providers in my discipline need more guidance in motivational interviewing for behavior change related to obesity.

4.14 (0.7)

–

–

–

4.00 (0.9)

3.57 (1.2)

−1.38

0.17