OBJECTIVES:

The objectives of the study are (1) to define and rank patient outcomes that patients with obesity value the most in medical care and (2) to better understand patients’ expectations in terms of care organization and patient support (services and tools).

METHODS:

An observational study was conducted from January to February 2018 via the French Carenity platform, an online patient community. Adult patients with obesity were invited to complete an online questionnaire. Treatment effectiveness is not assessed in this study.

RESULTS: Access to coordinated and multidisciplinary medical care is one of the most valuable (ranked 2nd best, on average) and at the same time, the least satisfactory elements (mean: 2.1/5 with 5 meaning the highest satisfaction level).

Moreover, patients with surgery are especially unsatisfied with the post-surgery follow-up (mean: 1.6/5). Therapeutic education programs are quite inaccessible (28%) and unsatisfactory (2.3/5).

Hygiene and dietary programs should be developed because they are highly expected (ranked first, on average) and moderately satisfactory (mean: 2.5/5).

Patients with obesity also need psychological support (3^rd most expected service on average and average satisfaction of 2.1/5) all the more so because the aspect of life that both matters the most for them (ranked first, on average) and is the most impacted by obesity (mean: 3.8/5 with 5 meaning the highest impact), is everyday mood.

CONCLUSIONS:

Coordinated and multidisciplinary medical care should be developed for patient with obesity and should include dietary programs and psychological support. The latter may improve everyday mood for patients with obesity.