The epidemic of overweight and obesity is one of the most momentous problems confronting the United States health care system today. New data shows that the estimated cost of treating obesity has risen from 147 billion in 2008 and will grow to 344 billion by 2018 if there is no action to stop the growth. Persons with serious chronic mental illnesses and obesity have several risk factors and behaviors that affect both intermediate and long-term outcomes. The administration of second-generation antipsychotic medications, decreased physical activity, unhealthy dietary habits, deprived access and disparities in care are significant factors. Research shows that for this exceptional population, if practitioners were provided with the appropriate tools and resources to assist them with the management of obesity, successful clinical outcomes can be achieved. Foreground: For healthcare professionals, especially psychiatric providers and clinicians whose repsonsibility is to provide care for patients with chronic mental illness, obesity is a major concern. The providers were not utilizing the organizational and national policies, and regulatory mandate when providing appropriate services to obese patients with mental illness. Implementing a weight reduction protocol involves a multidisciplinary team approach. Providers are often focused on getting the work done, which resulted in decrease compliance with patient education and documenting side effects of medications and healthy lifestyles. Method: An evidence-based weight reduction educational presentation was presented to providers in the psychiatric clinic. In addition, tools and resources were distributed in order to assist the providers with the management of patients with obesity. An electronic chart review of 100% of the patients admitted from March 2015 to April 2015 were reviewed post educational intervention for adherence to the protocol and documentation of teaching in patients Electronic Medical Records (EMRs). The evidence-based framework used for linkage, in combination with two theories, guided this project. Rosswurm and Larrabee’s Model for Change to Evidence Based Practice provided a systematic process for developing and implementing a practice change. Lewin’s Theory of Change served as the theoretical foundation for this change process. Findings/Results: The success of this evidence-based intervention was based on the findings that providers are using the protocol and documenting in the patients EMRs. The results of this project established that when psychiatric providers delivered the appropriate recommended evidence based clinical guideline for the management of patients, patient teaching, and documentation are increased.
