OBSERVE

Study Overview

OBSERVE is a study evaluating the attitudes of key stakeholders in the US about obesity and its effective therapy.

Descriptions and Objectives

OBSERVE^1-5

PerceptiOns, Barriers, and OpportunitieS for AntiobEsity Medications in Obesity CaRe: A SurVEy of Patients With Obesity, Providers, and Employers (OBSERVE) is a study evaluating the attitudes of key stakeholders in the US about obesity and its effective therapy. OBSERVE was sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company.

Doctor and patient thinking about body weight and medication

Participants^1-5

Patients with obesity
Healthcare professionals (HCPs)
Employer groups

Objectives^1-5

Understand perceptions toward obesity and its treatments
Understand the drivers and barriers for treatment of obesity, including anti-obesity medications (AOMs)
Identify unmet needs in obesity management
Identify unmet needs in healthcare delivery and access
Facilitate the use of evidence-based therapies, including AOMs

Qualitative Phone Interviews^1,2

In the first phase of OBSERVE, trained moderators conducted semi-structured cognitive phone interviews within the US.

Participants included:

23 patients with obesity: body mass index (BMI) ≥30 or 27≤BMI<30 with a weight-related comorbidity
25 HCPs: 9 specialties, including obesity medicine specialist, bariatric surgeon, internal medicine, gastroenterologist, general practitioner, psychiatrist, and endocrinologist

The survey included a mixture of multiple-choice and free-response questions exploring participant perceptions regarding weight management and AOMs.

Outcomes researchers used NVivo and MAXQDA qualitative research software to identify themes in interviews. Data from the analysis were used to refine the quantitative questionnaire used in the web-based studies.

Illustrated description of qualitative phone interview process

Quantitative Web-Based Surveys^3-5

Cross-sectional surveys via quantitative web-based questionnaire were conducted in a sample of US-based participants in 2022.

HCP Perspective³

In May-December 2022, a diverse sample of 504 US HCPs were given a 45-minute survey assessing their:

Experience treating obesity
Beliefs about obesity and its management
Concerns about potential new AOMs

Inclusion Criteria

≥3 years in practice

≥60% of professional time in direct outpatient care

≥100 patients seen or treated in a typical month

≥10% of patients seen in a typical month have obesity

Professions of HCP Respondents

Physician/surgeon (n=424)
Physician assistant (n=40)
Nurse practitioner (n=10)
Dietitian (n=30)

4.9% of prescribing HCPs had never prescribed anti-obesity medication

67.7% of prescribing HCPs regularly prescribed anti-obesity medications

Physicians had a mean 19.1 years in practice since completing training

Patient Perspective^4,5

In May-June 2022, a diverse sample of 917 participants in the US were given a survey assessing their:

Perceptions of obesity and its treatment
History of AOM use
Factors of interest in decision-making about new and hypothetical AOMs

Inclusion Criteria

Participants by BMI

Overweight (27-29.9): 12.8%
Class 1 obesity (30-34.9): 34.2%
Class 2 obesity (35-39.9): 21.8%
Class 3 obesity (≥40): 23.6%
Asians with overweight: 1.9%
Asians with obesity: 5.8%

The participant population was diverse with respect to age, gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geographic region

19.9% had previously or were currently taking prescription anti-obesity medications

Summary

The OBSERVE study identified key differences in the perceptions of obesity and AOMs between HCPs and people with obesity and overweight. While HCPs reported viewing obesity as a disease requiring treatment, people with obesity viewed it as a self-modifiable condition.²

Regardless of differences in perception, both groups expressed interest in combining a new AOM with other weight management strategies to “kickstart” weight loss.^2,3,5

Please refer to the cited references for complete results.

For more information about the results of the OBSERVE study, check out the data pages linked below:

Patient Perspectives

HCP Perspectives

For more information about the OBSERVE background, objectives, and study design check out the video below.

References

Kaplan LM, Kumar RB, Kahan S, et al. Perspectives of antiobesity medication use among persons with obesity and health care providers. Poster presented at ObesityWeek; November 1, 2021; virtual meeting.
Ard JD, Kaplan LM, Dunn JP, et al. Pharmacotherapy use in obesity care: divergence among health care providers and persons with obesity. Poster presented at ObesityWeek; November 1, 2021; virtual meeting.
Kahan S, Kumar RB, Ahmad NN, et al. Healthcare providers’ perceptions of anti-obesity medications: results from the OBSERVE study. Poster presented at American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) 32nd Annual Meeting; May 6, 2022; Seattle, WA.
Ard JD, Kaplan LM, Dunn JP, et al. Perceptions of persons with obesity or overweight toward this disease and its treatment. Poster presented at ObesityWeek; November 2, 2022; San Diego, CA.
Kaplan LM, Kumar RB, Ahmad NN, et al. Experience and perceptions of anti-obesity medications among persons with obesity or overweight. Poster presented at ObesityWeek; November 2, 2022; San Diego, CA.

VV-MED-141930

Study Overview

OBSERVE is a study evaluating the attitudes of key stakeholders in the US about obesity and its effective therapy.

Descriptions and Objectives

OBSERVE^1-5

Participants^1-5

Objectives^1-5

Qualitative Phone Interviews^1,2

Quantitative Web-Based Surveys^3-5

Cross-sectional surveys via quantitative web-based questionnaire were conducted in a sample of US-based participants in 2022.

HCP Perspective³

Inclusion Criteria

Professions of HCP Respondents

Patient Perspective^4,5

Inclusion Criteria

Participants by BMI

Summary

References

Please rate your satisfaction with the content on the following statements:

Please rate your satisfaction with the content on the following statements:

Study Overview

OBSERVE is a study evaluating the attitudes of key stakeholders in the US about obesity and its effective therapy.

Descriptions and Objectives

OBSERVE1-5

Participants1-5

Objectives1-5

Qualitative Phone Interviews1,2

Quantitative Web-Based Surveys3-5

Cross-sectional surveys via quantitative web-based questionnaire were conducted in a sample of US-based participants in 2022.

HCP Perspective3

Inclusion Criteria

Professions of HCP Respondents

Patient Perspective4,5

Inclusion Criteria

Participants by BMI

Summary

References

Please rate your satisfaction with the content on the following statements:

Please rate your satisfaction with the content on the following statements:

OBSERVE^1-5

Participants^1-5

Objectives^1-5

Qualitative Phone Interviews^1,2

Quantitative Web-Based Surveys^3-5

HCP Perspective³

Patient Perspective^4,5