Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42516091›Full record

ArticlePrimary health care research & development2026

Knowledge and perceptions of obesity care among general practice nurses in the Republic of Ireland.

Ciara Donaghue, Roisin Doogue, Suzanne Seery, Joanne Cecil, Francis M Finucane

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Primary health care research & development, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Ciara DonaghueCentre for Obesity and Metabolic Health, Connolly Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7690-1970
Roisin DoogueSchool of Medicine, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4539-3982
Suzanne SeeryHSE, National Clinical Programme for Obesity, Dublin, Ireland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6095-9779
Joanne CecilSchool of Medicine, University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4779-6037
Francis M FinucaneDepartment of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5374-7090

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimsWe sought to explore the knowledge and perceptions of obesity care among general practice nurses in the Republic of Ireland.

backgroundObesity is a complex condition driven by the interplay of social, cultural, environmental, genetic, biological and psychological factors. Despite its recognition as a chronic disease, it is underdiagnosed and undertreated in primary care. General practice nurses (GPNs) play a critical role in the monitoring of risk factors and treatment of chronic diseases, but their role in the management of obesity in primary care is less well described.

methodA cross-sectional cohort study was conducted. An anonymous online survey was disseminated asking a broad range of questions on levels of training, knowledge, perceptions and barriers to obesity care.

findingsOf 240 GPNs who completed the survey, 93% were aware that obesity aetiology is multifactorial. Identified causes which imply "personal responsibility" rated highly (73%). Most GPNs are comfortable having discussions about weight (74%). They reported discussing behavioural interventions more frequently than pharmacological treatments or bariatric surgery. Perceived lack of time in appointments (83%), lack of training (71%), shortage of specialist care (72%) and cost of treatments (67%) were the highest rated barriers to providing care. Lack of time in appointments (67%) and fear of causing offence (57%) were the highest rated barriers to initiating a discussion with patients about weight. GPNs felt their own BMI influenced how patients with obesity view their advice. Many GPNs (40%) reported they had no training in obesity care, while 54% had attended at least one obesity-themed webinar or conference.

conclusionGPNs recognise their essential role in obesity care. We have identified the need for dedicated consultation time and further training for GPNs to enable discussion of treatment options and support appropriate care pathways, including access to specialist care.

Indexed as

Attitude of Health PersonnelHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeObesityAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleGeneral PracticeHumansIrelandMaleMiddle AgedPrimary Health CareSurveys and Questionnairesbarriersgeneral practice nurseknowledgeobesityperceptionprimary caretraining

Identifiers

PMID42516091
PMCPMC13439027

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.