Intervention Study on Weight Loss in Patients With Obesity

Work Packages:

• Providing training to physicians on Socratic questioning:

Training will be delivered online by an instructor experienced in cognitive behavioral therapy.

• Recruitment of patients:

During routine outpatient visits, physicians will assess patients diagnosed with obesity according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eligible patients will be recruited after providing informed consent. Patients will complete an information form and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Those with significant psychopathology will be referred to a specialist for psychiatric evaluation. A first appointment (Day 0) will be scheduled.

• Group allocation:

After recruiting a patient, the physician will contact the research team to learn the patient's group assignment. The physician will be informed about the assigned group. Group allocation will be based on a pre-prepared list using computer-assisted block randomization.

• Recording group assignment in the health information system:

The patient's assigned group will be recorded in the Family Medicine Information System, and a reminder note will be visible during each consultation.

• Physician-patient consultation on Day 0:

The physician will take measurements and provide counseling about obesity. In the intervention group, the physician will apply the Socratic questioning technique. In the control group, the physician will follow routine obesity management practices. The next appointment (Day 15) will be scheduled.

• Physician-patient consultation on Day 15:

The physician will provide counseling about obesity. No measurements will be taken at this visit. The next appointment (Day 30) will be scheduled.

• Physician-patient consultation on Day 30:

The physician will provide counseling and take measurements. The next appointment (Day 60) will be scheduled.

• Physician-patient consultation on Day 60:

The physician will provide counseling and take measurements. The next appointment (Day 90) will be scheduled.

• Physician-patient consultation on Day 90:

Final measurements will be taken, and the study participation will be completed.

• Data analysis:

Physicians will share the collected data with the research team. The data from this pilot study will be analyzed.

• Process evaluation:

At the end of the study, surveys including Likert-scale, multiple-choice, and open-ended questions will be administered to physicians and patients in the intervention group by the research team.

Inclusion criteria

• Age between 18 and 65 years
• Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m²
• Willingness to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Presence of active psychosis or manic episode
• Intellectual disability
• Severe depression or personality disorder
• Auto- or hetero-aggressive behavior
• Reported use of psychoactive substances
• Suicidal ideation
• Participation in another weight loss program within the last 6 months
• Use of medications that cause long-term weight gain or loss
• Detection of psychopathology based on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)