The Effect of Physician Held Stigmas and Bias on the Health Outcomes of Patients with Obesity: A Review of The Literature

Authors

Rachel Cohen, Tulane University School of MedicineFollow
Catherine Jones, Tulane University School of MedicineFollow

Keywords

Obesity; Physician Held Stigma; Disparities of Healthcare

Disciplines

Internal Medicine | Interprofessional Education | Medical Humanities | Preventive Medicine | Primary Care

Abstract

Obesity is a growing epidemic that continues to garner attention throughout healthcare. The goal of this study was to review the literature on physician bias and stigmas surrounding obesity to assess the current state of research on connections between obesity-related stigma and the health outcomes and care of patients with obesity. A specific search string was used to obtain articles via PubMed and psychINFO, yielding 14 studies found that investigate these connections. The studies were categorized into three distinct pathways leading from physician stigma and biases to differing health outcomes of patients with obesity. These three pathways- perceptions, patient interaction, and clinical practice- are a novel way to look at the ways provider bias affects patients with obesity. This system allowed us to highlight significant health disparities among patients experiencing obesity. We propose several areas for future research to reduce physician bias, further characterize the impacts of provider bias on outcomes, and identify interventions for change.

Recommended Citation

Cohen, Rachel and Jones, Catherine (2018) "The Effect of Physician Held Stigmas and Bias on the Health Outcomes of Patients with Obesity: A Review of The Literature," Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice: Vol. 12: Iss. 6, Article 2.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jhdrp/vol12/iss6/2