Effect of Stimulating Extreme Obesity on Healthcare Professionals’ Attitude and Perception

Effect of Stimulating Extreme Obesity on Healthcare Professionals’ Attitude and Perception

Qualitative Research Study

Introduction

In the United States, obesity has become one of the serious health concerns, with almost a quarter of the population having the condition. As per the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, consider the status as a national epidemic due to severe consequences it has on individual physical, metabolic, and physiological health. The number does not only increase but also increases the cost associated with treating other obesity-related diseases with an estimated loss of $ 390 billion and $560 billion per year in productivity (Yang & Colditz, 2015). The studies conducted primarily focuses on the impact of stimulating an extreme type of obesity on healthcare professionals.

Previous multiple studies showed that extremely obese patients posed substantial challenges for those who strived to provide care Hales et al., (2018). In determining the impact of stimulating obesity on the attitudes and perceptions of health experts towards extreme obesity, a qualitative approach was conducted. The paper focuses on several aspects that are important in a qualitative research study, including the type of study design used, method of data collection, results, finding, and the implication. The paper will give clinical importance based on the outcome and future significance as a practitioner.

Type of Qualitative Research Study Design

The nature of the qualitative research study employed by Russell and MacDonald was phenomenology. Primarily, phenomenology focuses on subjective experiences and recognizes phenomena through understanding the pattern of those lived experiences (Bengtsson, 2016). The primary data collection that is mainly used involves in-depth use of interviews, such as the use of a questionnaire. The research engaged six registered nurses and one registered physiotherapist to guide the respondent or participant to complete a demographic survey.

Methodology

The health professionals who identified themselves working regularly or cared for the patients with obesity were considered eligible for research. The participant was recruited in the year 2015/2016 through poster advertisement at New Zealand urban tertiary hospital, which attended an estimate of more than 0.5 million people with the aid of nearby universities Hales et al., (2018). The five open-ended questions that concentrated on perceived difficulties a person with obesity realizes daily. Individual demographics and physical measurement, recognized challenges when exercising, engaging with health care services, feeling when in public places were the central questions in the questionnaire.

The interview timetables were established through consideration of previous studies. The third author and research assistant interviewed with specific experience in questioning obese individuals and other vulnerable groups. After a questionnaire and semi-structured interview completion, the participants were requested to wear a stimulation suit for 2 to 3 hours and go through a series of activities Hales et al., (2018). The sampling strategy and guide are clear to the study needs since the interview involved only health care staff and prospective participants who were trained to suit the study.

Data Collection and Analysis

The study portrays a well-structured data collection procedures that rhyme with the primary objectives of the research. The method of data collection is precise that questionnaire and the face-to-face interview was used. Then after data collection, NVivo 11 computer software was used to manage all data during analysis and grounding room for an audit trail of coding decisions Hales et al., (2018). Written documents were locked in a file, and electronic data was strongly protected with a password. The researcher role is not directly explained in the research, but the significant role they played was to manage all data collected in QSR, International, and Burlington software. The authors also played a critical role in data analysis by following the conventional data analysis process.

Regarding data analysis, the procedures have categorically been stipulated to reach the intended goals of the impact of stimulating extreme obesity to health professionals. The method suited the study because it permitted a pragmatic way of reporting similar recognized issues when undertaking exploratory research Hales et al., (2018). The content of data analysis was conducted on the interview transcript by the use of semi-structured interview timetables. At the end of the data analysis, the direction has been given where all respondents closely reflected the specific queries asked and used to undertake initial coding. Then the codes were merged and reduced with categories grounded to offer generalized descriptions of respondent experiences across transcripts.

Results of the Study

The study showed that out of seven participants, four of them portrayed a healthy weight range for body mass index, and three were in the range for overweight. From the interview perspective, three main themes were realized that concentrated on insight into the physical challenges extreme obese have, sensitization of social impact for individuals with extreme obesity, and changes in participant’s attitudes towards extreme obese individuals Hales et al., (2018). The common challenges in pre-simulation interviews regarding physical difficulties were walking problems, climbing staircase, toileting, and personal hygiene, among others. On participant attitudes towards people with obesity, they expressed healthy attitudes towards such individuals through reflecting judgments concerning patient’s size where large-sized patients raised health expert safety concerns, and extra effort was required.

On the experience of social stigma, Putting on the simulation suit in public, participants became aware of the stigmatization individuals with extreme obesity felt. From such results, they significantly show validity and credibility due to the methods that were used to collect data by incorporating trained participants who closely worked with people with extreme obesity. The accuracy of the result can be realized when the semi-structured interview schedules and coding schemes were used to avoid the repetition of common issues identified by Hales et al., (2018).  The study has provided reasonable grounds for the reader to understand the impact of stimulating extreme obesity on health experts. As such, it has given the reader an idea associated when stimulation is structured to individuals with extremely obese and the associated consequences.

The Insight Realized from Discussion of the Results

A deeper understanding of how to shape and size impact daily actions and the physical association in the environment concerning physical challenges experienced by study participants have stably been grounded. Through the interactive study that incorporates phenomenological aspects has provided a consistent finding, especially to individuals with mobility complications such as increased heart rate Hales et al., (2018). Secondly, the altered social interaction experienced by participant gives a significant insight into how victims of extreme obesity may be segregated and withdrawn from a social set-up. Most authors have challenged the use of simulation, however, the study findings have offered positive and purport stimulation suits have the potentiality to reduce stigma among health professionals towards their clients. As such, it becomes a valuable facet in health industry workers who handles and manage wounded patients with extreme obesity since such individuals require extra nursing attention Hales et al., (2018). Also, leaning based around simulation suit activity creates a safe setting for exploring and educate more on how to mitigate biases. Simulation-based health educators should ensure that they focus on planned activities that are meant to eradicate weight stigma reduction. Ultimately, the studies were faced with limitations on the aspects that were seen as a threat to the validity of the results. The sample size was petite that did not produce more data for more robust results. Participant demographics limited further investigation for any potential gender differences and ethnicity Hales et al., (2018). Also, the scarcity of previous information on the use of simulation suits hindered extensive comparison.

Importance of the Results finding and implication in Nursing Practice

From the findings of the study, the application of simulation suits may increase individual and group sensitization in the health industry. Health professional’s awareness grows tremendously concerning problems facing people with obesity. The aspects produce a positive influence on diffusing weight stigma and bias in health care environments, especially wound prevention and management. In such excess weight, more effort become an important tool in nursing care to aggravating existing prejudices Hales et al., (2018). Ethical guidance needs to be established that incorporates preplanning needs to be structured appropriately together with extensive research evidence. This can be done by expounding on the risks and benefits associated when using simulation suits in clinical practice and education. Due to prevalent and associated negative social consequences associated such as negative attitude, awkwardness as a health professional, a lot of care needs to be provided to specific physical health needs to such population and address the challenges they pose on attitude, stigma or bias towards larger-bodied individuals.

Conclusion

In summation, the study has facilitated participants who wore simulation suit to have an experience that is the pseudo lived experience of individuals with extreme obesity. As such, as creating an effective indulgence of the physical and social challenges such individuals face in their concerns. The participants reported empathetic concerns regarding the needs such individuals require to live a high-quality life with meaningful health care. Health professionals have a critical role to play to give ethical guidance to address when and how to use simulation suits that can help eradicate or reduce the stigma and other challenges faced by people lining with extreme obesity. Such individuals, they demand additional nursing efforts to handle their daily requirement such as skin and would care. The complexity of care that such individuals face has provided clinicians with knowledge and skills that are prime to their positive satisfaction and therapeutic results. Providing them with solid grounds that reduces stigma and biases to them can help extreme obesity individuals to change the social challenges, and the attitude and perception can tremendously change towards their condition.

References

Bengtsson, M. (2016). How to plan and perform a qualitative study using content analysis. NursingPlus Open, 2, 8-14. doi:10.1016/j.npls.2016.01.001

Hales, C., Gray, L., Russell, L., & MacDonald, C. (2018). A Qualitative Study to Explore the Impact of Simulating Extreme Obesity on Health Care Professionals’ Attitudes and Perceptions. Ostomy Wound Management, 64(1), 18-24. doi:10.25270/owm.2018.1.1824

Yang, L., & Colditz, G. A. (2015). Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 2007-2012. JAMA Internal Medicine, 175(8), 1412. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.2405