I came across this article today, which was published in a newsletter for doctors regarding malpractice issues.
Some quotes from the article:
"George Washington University law professor John Banzhaf, III , who pursued the tobacco companies in the 1990s and whose students are now pursuing McDonald’s, believes obesity suits against physicians are looming. He claims that if physicians don’t counsel obese patients about the risks of carrying additional weight, and help them lose weight, they may be the next targets."
"Part of the problem may be that it’s an emotionally charged issue. Even health care professionals who specialize in the care of obese patients tend to have a “fat bias.” In a study of health care professionals attending an international obesity conference, attendees associated negative stereotypes, such as laziness, with obese people. Although health care professionals who specialize in obesity care exhibited an “automatic fat bias” they were found to be less biased than lay people.3 Negative attitudes and discrimination on the part of both physicians and medical personnel have been found in other research studies as well.4 And, obese patients tend to be emotional about the issue. They can be reluctant to seek or follow through on medical care, perhaps feeling mistreated and misunderstood.5 A visit to a practice that does not have appropriate scales, gowns, or chairs can be humiliating for the obese patient and make it difficult to contemplate a return visit."
"Obesity issues continue to challenge medical professionals. Now, the increasing threat of lawsuits gives dedicated doctors even more reason to be vigilant in treating their obese patients."
Some quotes from the article:
"George Washington University law professor John Banzhaf, III , who pursued the tobacco companies in the 1990s and whose students are now pursuing McDonald’s, believes obesity suits against physicians are looming. He claims that if physicians don’t counsel obese patients about the risks of carrying additional weight, and help them lose weight, they may be the next targets."
"Part of the problem may be that it’s an emotionally charged issue. Even health care professionals who specialize in the care of obese patients tend to have a “fat bias.” In a study of health care professionals attending an international obesity conference, attendees associated negative stereotypes, such as laziness, with obese people. Although health care professionals who specialize in obesity care exhibited an “automatic fat bias” they were found to be less biased than lay people.3 Negative attitudes and discrimination on the part of both physicians and medical personnel have been found in other research studies as well.4 And, obese patients tend to be emotional about the issue. They can be reluctant to seek or follow through on medical care, perhaps feeling mistreated and misunderstood.5 A visit to a practice that does not have appropriate scales, gowns, or chairs can be humiliating for the obese patient and make it difficult to contemplate a return visit."
"Obesity issues continue to challenge medical professionals. Now, the increasing threat of lawsuits gives dedicated doctors even more reason to be vigilant in treating their obese patients."
