Let’s Go! 2022-2023 Educational Programs: Developing a Standardized Obesity Medicine Curriculum through a Realist Evaluation

Authors

Isaac Stickney, Maine Medical Center, Department of Medical Education, Portland, MaineFollow
Peter Amann, Maine Medical Center, Department of Medical Education, Portland, MaineFollow
Victoria Rogers, The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center, Portland, MaineFollow
Austin Steward, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MassachusettsFollow
Kayla Bronzo, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MassachusettsFollow
Alec Luro, Maine Medical Center, Department of Medical Education, Portland, MaineFollow
Robert Bing-You, Maine Medical Center, Department of Medical Education, Portland, MaineFollow

Submission Type

Innovation Highlight

Abstract

Problem: Obesity is linked to more than 200 chronic conditions, lower quality of life, and worse outcomes for patients. Let’s Go! is a community engagement initiative that works with communities to create environments that support healthy behaviors that impact obesity. Let’s Go! provides educational programming for all medical learners and providers throughout Maine and Carroll County, New Hampshire. The goal of Let’s Go! is to address the health outcomes of obesity and the stigma associated with it, including its impact on patients’ mental health and clinicians’ unconscious biases.

Approach: We used a realist evaluation, a framework in which the social world is viewed with real impacts, on programs of the Let’s Go! 2022-2023 health care educational programs and initiatives (ie, what interventions work for who and why). Qualitative data were collected by conducting semi-structured interviews of clinicians who participated in these recent programs. These data were coded to determine themes and, ultimately, Contexts, Mechanisms, and Outcomes surrounding obesity education and management. Seven interviews were coded using 50 different codes. From the codes, themes were analyzed.

Outcomes: A lack of organizational support (Context) led to a lack of appropriate time to dedicate to the activities (Mechanism), reducing the ability to have the full learning and confidence desired (Outcome). When developing future educational interventions, the context of organizational support is essential for adequate outcomes. Before implementing future educational interventions, programs should address an organization’s support for providers.

Next Steps: Let’s Go! will continue to work with partners at MaineHealth and Tufts University School of Medicine over the coming years to design and integrate a comprehensive obesity medicine curriculum into future educational opportunities for all medical learners and care team members. The iterative nature of this innovative educational approach will support continual improvements as new modalities are implemented and reviewed.

Recommended Citation

Stickney, Isaac; Amann, Peter; Rogers, Victoria; Steward, Austin; Bronzo, Kayla; Luro, Alec; and Bing-You, Robert (2024) "Let’s Go! 2022-2023 Educational Programs: Developing a Standardized Obesity Medicine Curriculum through a Realist Evaluation," Journal of Maine Medical Center: Vol. 6 : Iss. 2 , Article 2.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.46804/2641-2225.1182