Document Type

DNP Project

Publication Date

2025

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Faculty Advisor

Susan Penque, PhD, ANP-BC, NE-BC, NC-C

Practice Mentor

Luis Rojas DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

Abstract

Significance and Background: Obesity is a multifactorial disease resulting in multiple health complications. Telehealth is a strategic method incorporating obesity management into primary care (PC). External evidence supports the use of telehealth for obesity management, as it can increase access to care and promote weight loss. The identified benefits of telehealth include convenience, efficiency, communication, privacy, comfort, increased patient satisfaction, and minimized cost. Primary care providers (PCPs) need designated time with patients to discuss obesity and weight loss in addition to the typical patient encounter.

Purpose: Increase PC patient knowledge of obesity and possible health complications. Utilize telehealth to educate patients on the multiple factors affecting weight loss. Increase awareness that PCPs need designated time to discuss obesity and weight loss.

Interventions and Setting: The Knowledge to Action (KTA) framework was used for project guidance at a Connecticut PC clinic. Initially, 15 participants were to be selected for weekly educational telehealth reviews for 10 weeks to measure changes in BMI and weight. Due to a lack of participant commitment, the project was modified to an educational weight loss handout with a single telehealth review. Data collection included initial and post-survey ratings of the telehealth review and a time log of patient sessions. There were 15 participants in total, and the mean age was 41.46. Participants included eight females (53.33%) and seven males (46.6%). All participants had a BMI above 30. Outcome measurements include survey ratings and time logs.

Evaluation: Post telehealth, the survey rating of participant knowledge of obesity and health complications increased from a mean of 4.6 to 9.26. The confidence rating in approaching weight loss increased from a mean of 3.86 to 8.26. The average time log of the participant's telehealth review was 68.2 minutes.

Discussion: Implementing telehealth reviews for obesity and weight management increased patient knowledge of obesity and health complications. The time log during implementation increases awareness that PCPs need designated time to discuss obesity and weight loss management with patients. Recommendations include individual or group telehealth sessions for obesity and weight loss education.

Comments

A DNP project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice, Sacred Heart University Davis & Henley College of Nursing.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

Available for download on Saturday, January 03, 2026


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