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Weight is listed on every medical intake form. Before you even enter a room with a doctor, they will know your weight. That number can inform their assessments and recommendations both consciously and unconsciously. Weight stigma, which is individuals’ social devaluation and denigration due to their excess body weight, leading to negative attitudes, stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination, can ease its way into many daily interactions, including those with one’s doctor. “Effective doctor-patient communication is a central clinical function,” according to a study by the Ochsner Journal. This includes discussing weight. Discussing weight with your doctor can be uncomfortable but necessary and unavoidable. The way you do it matters. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Patient Education and Counseling found that patient coaching makes a difference in patient-physician communication. See tips for how to prepare yourself to discuss weight with your healthcare provider so that you can be sure to get the best care possible.
Do Your Research
Do your research on any concerns you have. Consult authenticated sources and write down connections to what you are experiencing. Anytime you have your doctor’s undivided attention, it is a chance to ask questions. Please write down your questions and go through them one by one. Make it clear where your questions are coming from so your provider does not dismiss them as hypochondria or “WebMD-itis.”
Sample Language:
- I have a list of questions I’d like to ask based on what I am experiencing.
- We have limited time, but I’d like to focus on these concerns.
- Can you explain how my BMI interacts with this issue directly?
Present Your Receipts
Have your receipts ready at all times! Weight concerns ultimately lead to conversations about lifestyle. Prepare your answers for your doctor so you are not caught off guard. They might have several questions about how often you exercise and what type of exercises you do. Wearable technology is a great way to track this information. Your smartphone might also have access to a step counter that can shed light on your movement habits. If you do not have access to technology for this task, try journaling your habits before your appointment. Write down your stress levels, how long you sleep each night, and other relevant information that impacts weight. Knowing your full insurance benefits, including nutrition and alternative health methods, is also helpful.
Sample Language:
- Thank you for bringing up your concerns about my weight. I want to share some information about my habits and resources with you.
- I’d like to know how best to proceed, considering my lifestyle.
- That won’t work for me, considering my day-to-day schedule and obligations. Can we discuss other options?
Enlist A Friend or Family Member
Everyone deserves competent care, and “standardized communication and educational strategies to achieve patient empowerment are challenging because patients’ support needs are complex” and “influenced by health literacy level and social and cultural differences.” If these factors erect barriers in your case, bring a friend or family member to advocate for you effectively.
Sample Language:
- This is my [Insert relationship here]. I’d like them to stay and help me navigate this conversation.
- It would be helpful if [Insert relationship here] could help me express my thoughts and concerns.
Master Redirection
If your healthcare provider is harping on weight and ignoring your other concerns, use redirection to ensure you can express what you want to focus on.
Sample Language:
- I have heard your concerns about my weight. Can we spend some time reviewing the symptoms that I have concerns about?
- I want to focus on these specific things.
- Would you make this same recommendation if I were a patient with a lower BMI? Why or why not?
Record Your Interactions
Always ask for documentation! If you suspect your doctor is more focused on the number on the scale than the connective tissue fusing your health, ensure you record everything.
Sample Language:
- Thank you for sharing your recommendation. Can we move on?
- Please document that information in my chart so that I can ensure my records are accurate.
- How can I get a copy of your recommendations for my records?
A grant from Novo Nordisk sponsored this article.
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