Rationale of the Week | RS Doesn’t Want to Get Weighed
For last week’s practice question, we quizzed participants on how to approach a person who does not want to be weighed during a quarterly diabetes appointment. 60% of respondents chose the best answer. If you are interested in learning more about the importance of providing weight inclusive care, this practice test question will set you up for success.
Before we start though, if you don’t want any spoilers and haven’t tried the question yet, you can answer it here: Answer Question
Question:
RS arrives at their quarterly diabetes provider appointment and the medical assistant walks them to the scale, in the clinic hallway, to get their weight. RS politely explains that they feel uncomfortable being weighed but they are happy to share their stated weight. The medical assistant once again encourages RS to get on the scale and reassures RS that they don’t need to look at or know their weight. RS sighs, takes off their shoes and reluctantly gets on the scale to be weighed.
Which of the following best describes the end result of this situation?
Answer Choices:
- The medical assistant used a person-centered approach to respect the wishes of RS.
- RS exhibited non-adherence and reconsidered their request.
- According to the transtheoretical model, RS was in preparation stage and needed gentle encouragement.
- The clinic staff would benefit from an inservice on providing weight inclusive care.
Getting to the Best Answer
If you are interested in providing weight inclusive care, this practice test question will set you up for success. Your job is to weed through the particulars, pluck out the most important elements and choose the BEST answer.
Answer 1 is incorrect. 15.91% chose this answer. “The medical assistant used a person-centered approach to respect the wishes of RS.” Instead of honoring the request to not be weighed, the medical assistant insisted RS step on the scale. A person centered, weight inclusive approach would respect RS’s request not to be weighed and accepted their stated weight.
Answer 2 is incorrect. 8.39% of you chose this answer. “RS exhibited non-adherence and reconsidered their request.” People with diabetes have the right to be weighed in a private space and they also have the right to decline to be weighed. In this situation, RS’s weight is not required to provide safe and effective medical care.RS is not “non-adherent”, they are simply expressing their need not to step on the scale.
Answer 3 is incorrect. About 15.70% of respondents chose this. “According to the transtheoretical model, RS was in preparation stage and needed gentle encouragement.” This juicy answer does not reflect the situation in the medical office at the scale. RS did not state that they were working on being comfortable with being weighed or that it would be helpful to be weighed. Instead RS told the MA twice that they don’t want to be weighed, but their request was not honored.
Finally, Answer 4 is correct. 60% chose this answer. “The clinic staff would benefit from an inservice on providing weight inclusive care.” YES, this is the best answer. If the staff were informed about weight inclusive care and reducing weight stigma, they would have honored RS’s request not to be weighed and documented their stated weight. This inclusive approach would help RS feel seen, heard and respected. RS would gain a positive association with their medical team and be more likely to return for future appointments.
We hope you appreciate this week’s rationale! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our Question of the Week and participate in this important learning activity!
Want to learn more about Weight Stigma?
Enjoy our blog – Untangling Weight Stigma at Medical Visits.
Weight stigma in medical appointments is a significant issue that can have detrimental effects on the individuals’ physical and mental health. It refers to the negative attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes healthcare providers may hold towards individuals with extra weight. This stigma can manifest in various ways during medical appointments, including biased treatment, assumptions about the person’s lifestyle or health behaviors, and even neglect of legitimate health concerns unrelated to weight.
Although I disguised this question and situation as happening to RS, this question is based on my own personal experience. My goal in sharing this with all of you is not only to raise awareness of this often-overlooked barrier to care but a call to take action in our places of work to provide more weight inclusive environments.
Action Steps to Untangle Weight Stigma in Medical Appointments:
Awareness and Education: participate in training programs to help care providers recognize and address weight bias. A great resource is Inclusive Diabetes Care.
Language Matters: Use neutral and respectful language when discussing weight-related issues.
Focus on Health, Not Weight: Shift the focus of medical appointments from weight to overall health and well-being.
Individualized Care: Recognize the individual and understand their story around weight.
Create Supportive Environments: Design healthcare settings that are inclusive and welcoming to individuals of all sizes.
Advocate for Systemic Change: Addressing weight stigma requires systemic change within the healthcare system and society as a whole. Healthcare providers can advocate for policies that promote health equity, combat weight bias in research and media, and support initiatives that address social determinants of health.
By implementing these strategies, healthcare providers can help untangle weight stigma in medical appointments and create a more supportive and inclusive environment for all patients, regardless of their size.
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