O1034: Empowering Wellness: Boosting Engagement in Pediatric Obesity Management at the Academic Clinic Samant, Bhakti M.D, Holland Melissa, D.O, Campbell, Courtney, M.D. Our Lady of the Lake Pediatric Academic clinic1

Purpose/Objectives: Obesity stands as a significant public health challenge, intricately linked to persistent physical and mental health concerns. Within the United States, childhood obesity rates rank among the highest globally. The specific incidence of childhood obesity in the early 2000s surpasses the levels observed a decade prior, reaching more critical stages. This signals the imperative for a comprehensive approach to address the escalating severity. Our mission was to enhance weight management and follow-up care at the Pediatric Academic Clinic.

Design/Methods: Our project aimed to boost follow-up visits for weight management at the Pediatric Academic Clinic by 15% from July 2023 to December 2023, focusing on children aged 2 to 18 years. Using a retrospective study design, we collected data from January 2023 to June 2023, continuing through December 2023 after implementing various interventions. The project has successfully completed three PDSA cycles. The first cycle involved gathering baseline data for weight-related follow-up visits. The second cycle emphasized BMI documentation and family history of obesity or comorbidities. The third cycle introduced electronic reminders via MyChart to proactively prompt patients to schedule follow-up appointments. Pediatric residents underwent training to adopt new processes, including the concept of motivational interviewing, and were reminded of the importance of scheduled follow-ups. Technical changes, such as incorporating hard stops in EPIC for essential documentation, were also implemented.

Results: The analysis of results were tracked from PDSA cycles 1-3, at the conclusion of PDSA cycle 3 revealed a significant surge in follow-up visits for weight management at the Pediatric Academic Clinic. The median increase was notable, reaching approximately 40%. This outcome highlights the effectiveness of the interventions and the positive impact on achieving our project aim.

Conclusion/Discussion: The likelihood of a child or adolescent with obesity developing comorbidities in adulthood is considerable. Therefore, a life course approach is strongly advocated for early detection and continuous monitoring with close follow-up. Recognizing the diverse influences contributing to excess weight and influencing treatment efforts is crucial. Throughout the project duration, a range of interventions and recommendations focusing on nutrition, physical activity, and behavioral change were underscored. This initiative played a pivotal role in identifying risk factors, conducting a thorough evaluation, and implementing pertinent changes to ensure sustainable and consistent improvement in delivering non-stigmatizing patient centric care.
Future Goals: In the ongoing PDSA cycle 4, the project aims to integrate an achievable healthy weight goal agreed upon with the patient. This involves establishing follow-up appointments along with a reminder slip to reinforce the importance of continued follow-up. This strategy seeks to enhance patient engagement and collaboration in setting and pursuing realistic health objectives, contributing to a more personalized and effective approach to weight management at the Pediatric Academic Clinic