Increasing Access to USPSTF-Recommended Obesity Care for Youth and Adults Who Are Recipients of Medicaid: Evaluation of a Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Obesity Care Training Program in FQHCs

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating two training approaches for obesity care recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force in Federally Qualified Health Centers. The study aims to compare patient weight changes, treatment use, primary care provider referrals, provider skills, and costs associated with these approaches. The research focuses on both youth and adults who receive Medicaid and have obesity, assessing the impact of different provider training methods. The trial compares a Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Obesity Care (CMOC) training program with an Implementation as Usual Control (IAUC) training. Provider trainees at participating centers will receive either CMOC or IAUC training during a 12-month period, followed by a 12-month sustainability phase. After the sustainability period, those initially in the IAUC group will be offered the CMOC training. CMOC training involves educating providers including medical staff, dietitians, and behavioral health providers to deliver guideline-based obesity care using screening, counseling, referrals, and intensive behavioral treatment supported by digital tools and community resources. Participants will be involved through provider trainees delivering care and benefit-eligible patients receiving obesity treatment at participating clinics. Outcomes will be measured by changes in patient percent overweight from 2 to 29 months after enrollment. Researchers will also monitor treatment use, provider referrals, care competencies, and costs. The study spans over two years of training and sustainability with ongoing assessments of both patient and provider outcomes throughout the trial period.

Advancing Biopsychosocial Care Training Initiative