31 - Outcomes Driven Innovation in Obesity Management: Motivational Interviewing Workshops in Primary Care

Objective
The purpose of this initiative is to improve primary care providers’ (PCP) ability and confidence in addressing obesity with patients through motivational interviewing (MI) workshops across the US. As a new initiative in 2023, we aimed to implement improvements in 2024 by utilizing outcomes and insights from the pilot project.

Methods
In 2023, Pri-Med Institute, the Obesity Medicine Association, and CE Outcomes partnered to develop, execute, and evaluate twelve (12) MI workshops at Primary Care Updates conferences nationwide. Each 90-minute session included 30-40 clinicians and was co-led by a primary care provider and an obesity medicine specialist. These workshops aimed to create a supportive environment for participants to identify biases, share experiences in managing obesity, hone MI skills, engage in peer feedback, and expand professional networks. Workshop success was measured up to Moore’s Level 5 including pre/post assessment, learner and faculty evaluation, and follow-up interviews 60-90 days post activity exposure. Outcomes were analyzed to develop an improved 2024 offering.

Results
Outcomes indicated interest in hands-on, small-group learning, and while familiar with MI, participants sought practical techniques for real-world use. Learners showed an openness to newer concepts of weight management and obesity as a chronic disease indicating a readiness for change.

Positive outcomes suggested the value of continued programming and highlighted areas for improvement such as broader access, refined content, and additional assessment methods. Assessment changes include digitized peer feedback forms allowing for personalized follow-up suggestions and aggregation for analysis. Additionally, a follow-up survey will assess practice differences between workshop participants and a control group.

Conclusions
PCPs improved their skills in managing obesity through MI, yet areas for enhancement were recognized. This study will showcase 2023 findings, their integration into continued programming, and a year-over-year analysis to underscore the importance of obesity education in primary care.