Purpose: To determine the impact of pharmacist-provided obesity diagnosis education, after a health assessment, on patient self-rated health and health behaviors.
Study Design: Unblinded, randomized cross-sectional prospective study with a pre-intervention and post-intervention survey.
Methods: Insured employee participants, with a BMI greater than 25 kg/m², completed a survey assessing their self-rated health and health behaviors utilizing the “Starting the Conversation” and “Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity” questionnaires. Participants were randomized, via computer software, to either a standard counseling group (control) or an enhanced counseling group. In the standard counseling group clinical pharmacists addressed three areas: overweight or obesity assessment based on BMI, recommended weekly physical activity, and a healthy eating strategy. The enhanced counseling addressed all three standard counseling areas and included obesity diagnosis education, detailing obesity as a disease and clinical diagnosis.
Results: Both the standard counseling group and the enhanced counseling group improved eating habits post intervention. Pharmacist-delivered obesity diagnosis education did not have a statically significant impact patient self-rated health, physical activity, or dietary habits (p = 0.564, 0.416, 0.102 respectively).
Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: Self-rated health is a predictor of morbidity and mortality. Identifying brief clinical interventions that can positively impact self-rated health can be used to improve overall health throughout primary care settings. A larger study is necessary to fully assess the positive impact of pharmacist-delivered obesity education and health assessments, together and individually.

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