Exploring community nurses' views on the implementation of a local Weight Management Pathway

This research explores the views of community nurses on the implementation of a local Weight Management Pathway (WMP). WMP's are a recognised tool used to reduce levels of excess weight and obesity and are recommended by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), yet locally there is no WMP in place. A qualitative interpretative phenomenological approach was employed and a focus group of community nursing staff was conducted. The data was then thematically analysed with the use of the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Participants acknowledged the lack of a current WMP, the potential benefits of a local WMP as well as the need for training in the use of the tool. They also identified potential barriers to its implementation such as the sensitivity of the subject, a lack of staff knowledge, patient's willingness to change and communication systems.