Tricia Leahey, professor of allied health sciences and director of the UConn Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP<\/a>), and, Amy Gorin, professor of psychological sciences and vice provost for health sciences and interdisciplinary initiatives, have led a new study that underscores the power of patient-delivered care for weight loss maintenance.<\/p>\n Leahey and Gorin also direct InCHIP\u2019s Weight Management Research Group<\/a>, which develops and assesses weight management interventions for the treatment of obesity and reduction of chronic disease.<\/p>\n The study<\/a>, which was recently published in the prestigious, peer-reviewed academic journal, JAMA Internal Medicine<\/a>, found that patient-delivered care may be more effective than care delivered by professional staff.<\/p>\n \u201cPatient-delivered care holds great potential, but how patients promote health behavior change has not been investigated extensively. Our goal with this study was to better understand how patient care providers support weight loss maintenance and improve cardiovascular disease risk, and whether this model would be sustainable long-term,\u201d says Leahey, who is the study\u2019s lead author.<\/p>\n Leahey is a clinical health psychologist who has extensive experience developing and evaluating lifestyle interventions for obesity treatment. Her recent work has explored how patient-provided care influences short-term weight loss outcomes.<\/p>\n Overweight and obesity are complex health conditions that can increase one\u2019s risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and more. In addition, adults with obesity can pay up to $2,505 in additional medical expenses per year<\/a>. From 2001 to 2016, total direct medical costs relating to obesity doubled from $124 billion to $260.6 billion.<\/p>\n Obesity impacts about 40% of U.S. adults, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity treatment, whether lifestyle, pharmaceutical, or surgery, produces significant weight loss and reduces the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, these risks may return if weight is regained.<\/p>\n Traditionally, treatment for sustaining weight loss is delivered regularly over the course of 18 months by professional staff who have a master\u2019s degree and training in behavioral weight loss maintenance. While this approach is effective, it can be costly and difficult to maintain. Research has also demonstrated that weight regain occurs after treatment ends.<\/p>\n Insights into patient-provided care<\/strong><\/p>\n Patient-delivered care may be a more cost-effective option that could be sustainable indefinitely. This model employs two types of patient providers: mentors and peers. Mentors are patients who have successfully altered their health behaviors and coach incoming patients on lifestyle change. Peers are incoming patients who support and coach one another. Typically, patient-delivered care employs a hybrid approach that incorporates patients and professional staff.<\/p>\n The research evidence supporting the efficacy of patient-provided care has been mixed. Studies have shown this model can enhance quality of life and survival rates for cancer patients. It has also been shown to improve short-term blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes and weight loss outcomes when used in conjunction with professionally delivered treatment.<\/p>\n Other studies suggest the effectiveness of patient-provided support is limited when used for managing depression or pain.<\/p>\n Despite these varied outcomes, patient care providers may offer a unique sense of empathy and motivation not replicated by professional caregivers. Fellow patients may also provide ongoing weekly support over an extended period, and possibly when patients need it the most \u2013 again, not possible with professional providers.<\/p>\n Leahey and Gorin\u2019s study addressed these research gaps. It is the first study to examine the efficacy of a treatment intervention fully delivered by patient-providers and compare it to professionally delivered treatment. The study is also the first to train patient providers to provide all components of the treatment intervention, include both types of patient providers, and determine whether patients continue to coach one another after the treatment period ends.<\/p>\n \u201cThis study offers insights into how patient providers may support weight loss maintenance over the long-term. By including both mentors and peers in the treatment intervention, we leveraged the strengths of both to provide a more effective treatment program,\u201d says Leahey.<\/p>\n Required: ongoing support and intervention<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Leahey_Tricia_400x400-400x400-1-300x300.jpg\")