Description, utilisation and results from a telehealth primary care weight management intervention for adults with obesity in South Carolina

Introduction In the US, obesity rates are higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Rural access to treatment of obesity is limited by a lack of qualified clinicians and by transportation and financial barriers. We describe a telemedicine weight management programme, Wellness Connect, developed through a partnership of academic clinicians and rural primary care providers in South Carolina, and present utilisation and weight outcomes from seven patient cohorts. Methods Eight bi-weekly sessions were provided via telemedicine videoconferencing for groups of patients at these rural primary care clinics. Protocol-based sessions were led by registered dietitians, exercise physiologists and clinical psychologists at a central urban location. Results Of 138 patients who started the programme, 62% (N = 86) of patients met the criteria for completion. Completers lost an average of 3.5% (standard deviation (SD) = 3.9%) body weight, which was statistically significant (p