"This study is about finding effective ways for obese people to lose excess weight. Not only can we reduce their chances for certain types of cancer, but for a host of other health problems," said Befort.

The three-arm study is funded by a $10 million grant from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). It compares the traditional office visit/fee-for-service approach with models that coordinate services in a patient-centered medical home or through a telephone-delivered disease management. The latter models allow professionals with training in weight loss counseling to provide care with after-hours group visits, phone visits and email/text message support.

"In this study, I have learned how much family physicians truly care about their patients and want to help them. The challenge is that physicians don't always have the right tools to help patients change their behavior. As a result, they end up feeling ineffective as a provider, which can lead to avoiding the topic altogether," said Befort.

One of the three treatment methods will be used at 36 primary care practices in Kansas, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Iowa. Patients' weight loss at 24 months will be measured and then used to compare the effectiveness of the different methods. Approximately 1,400 patients will participate in the study.

The five-year-long project, called RE-POWER (Rural Engagement in Primary Care for Optimizing Weight Reduction), is in its second year. Befort worked with a patient advisory panel to define the treatment approaches. She also engaged with rural primary care providers, insurers, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the National Committee for Quality Assurance and state health departments.

"A lot of Kansans live in rural areas. If we can find a better way to help folks in rural communities lose weight, then we have the opportunity to reduce cancer risk for Kansans across the state," Befort said.

Source: Newswise