Pilot Study on Using Socratic Questioning for Weight Loss in Adults with Obesity

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the use of Socratic questioning as a new approach to help adults aged 18 to 65 with obesity lose weight in a primary care setting. This pilot trial aims to determine if this questioning method can lead to greater weight loss compared to regular care. The study is a pragmatic randomized controlled trial led by S31d31ka Ece Yokuf, focusing on effective weight management strategies for patients with obesity. Participants will be divided into two groups one receiving counseling using the Socratic questioning technique during follow-up visits, and the other receiving routine obesity care from their physicians. The intervention group will have face-to-face sessions on days 0, 15, 30, and 60, each lasting about 10-15 minutes, where physicians will use a checklist and record notes with an obesity diagnosis code. The control group will receive standard care which may include nutritional and lifestyle advice but not Socratic questioning. Both groups will have measurements taken at specified visits over a 3-month period. During the study, participants will complete baseline and final questionnaires including demographic information and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. They will attend five in-person visits over three months, where weight, height, and waist circumference will be measured. Physicians will provide brief counseling at each visit and record data in the health information system. The main outcome measured is the change in body weight after 3 months, along with secondary outcomes like BMI and waist circumference changes. Safety monitoring includes referral to mental health services if needed. The total participation duration is about 3 months.

Intervention Study on Weight Loss in Patients With Obesity