MRWeight Study Teaching Medical Residents Weight Management Counseling Skills Using a Multi-Modal, Technology-Assisted Program

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to improve how medical residents learn to counsel patients on weight management. It addresses the challenge that many physicians lack training in this area during their residency. The study evaluates the MRWeight curriculum, which uses spaced education and the 5As framework to teach residents weight management counseling WMC skills, comparing it to a standard obesity and weight management course. The study is a randomized controlled trial involving Internal Medicine residency programs and focuses on how well residents adopt and apply WMC skills in clinical practice. Participants are divided into two groups. The intervention group attends two educational sessions and receives six email modules with video-based communication assessments over 12 months, reinforcing WMC concepts and practice. The comparison group receives only a foundational course via PowerPoint slides without the additional sessions or email modules. Both groups participate in three assessments over 18 months to evaluate their WMC skills and adoption in patient encounters. During the study, residents complete surveys and video communication assessments at baseline, 12 months, and 18 months. The researchers measure changes in WMC skills and how residents adopt these skills in clinical settings. The study monitors residents through multiple cohorts and collects data on the effectiveness of the training methods. Participation involves online and in-class evaluations, with the overall study lasting 18 months.

Medical Residents Learning Weight Management Counseling Skills