Dr Alex Craven was recently featured in the Herald Sun as part of a discussion about the promotion of online weight-management services and the importance of appropriate medical care.
The article examines concerns raised by medical professionals about the growing visibility of online weight-management services, including the influence celebrity endorsements can have on healthcare decisions.
Speaking with the Herald Sun, Alex discussed why the model of care surrounding weight management matters, including the importance of appropriate patient assessment and recognising when a person may need more detailed evaluation or ongoing support.
Why the model of care matters
Weight-management care should take an individual’s health and circumstances into account.
Alex noted that some health considerations may require more detailed assessment than a simple online screening process can provide. In the Herald Sun article, he highlighted particular considerations for people at risk for eating disorders or low muscle or bone mass – many of whom may be unaware they are at risk.
Appropriate assessment helps healthcare professionals build a clearer picture of a person’s health and determine what type of care may be suitable for them.
The way care is provided also matters. Assessment, clinical decision-making and appropriate follow-up all play a role in ensuring care is based on the needs of the individual.
Making informed healthcare decisions
The Herald Sun article also raises a broader question about how health services are promoted to the public. In particular, obesity management medications, like GLP1 drugs, can be very expensive, and only work while they are being taken. This can make them a very costly, lifelong investment, particularly for people who may have less expensive, more effective, and more durable options. Focussing solely on one type of treatment, may leave patients poorly informed, and therefore missing out on real choice.
Celebrity endorsements and advertising can attract attention, but healthcare decisions should be based on a person’s individual circumstances and discussed with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. Many celebrities have health and lifestyles very different from the people they are advertising to.
For people considering support with weight management, looking for care that includes appropriate assessment and ongoing clinical support can help ensure their broader health needs are considered.
Read the original Herald Sun article →
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This information is general in nature and does not replace individual medical advice.
