Date of Conferral

8-4-2025

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Corinne Wheeler

Abstract

Weight regain after pharmacological weight-loss interventions remains a pervasive challenge in primary care, with over 70% of patients reverting to baseline weight within six months. This quality improvement project aimed to enhance healthcare providers’ patient engagement skills to improve retention and long-term outcomes in weight-loss programs. A structured staff training program focusing on motivational interviewing, goal-setting, and barrier recognition was implemented among a multidisciplinary team. The program’s effectiveness was evaluated through a mixed-methods approach, incorporating quantitative pre- and post-assessment scores and qualitative staff satisfaction surveys. Results demonstrated a significant increase in staff knowledge, with average scores rising from 68% to 90%, and 70% of staff reported immediately applying new engagement techniques. Participants’ satisfaction was high, with over 85% rating the training as relevant and practical. Despite the positive findings, limitations included a small sample size of four participants and limited training time, which constrained deeper skill practice. The findings underscore the importance of ongoing staff education to foster patient-centered care, improve adherence, and ultimately reduce weight regain rates. The training's immediate impact suggests that targeted educational interventions can effectively enhance clinicians’ engagement strategies, improving health outcomes and equity. These results support the integration of continuous professional development in primary care settings to address gaps in patient engagement, emphasizing the role of tailored, culturally competent communication strategies in promoting sustainable weight management. Overall, this initiative demonstrates that investing in staff education is a critical step toward transforming weight-loss program success and advancing effective, equitable healthcare delivery.

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