Videophones for Wellness Coaching in an Overweight Population

Problem. Obesity-related conditions are the second leading cause of death in America and they require pharmacological, educational and supportive approaches, according to the American Dietetic Association. Supportive approaches such as group processes, formal behavioral training and brief individual medical counseling are more successful than physiological interventions alone for long-term weight management. Health promotion research favors working with obese patients in the context of home, where they are faced with difficult health choices and this has typically been done by telephone or home nursing visits. Telephone care has been effective in clinical trials for cardiac symptom monitoring, diabetes treatment counseling, emotional symptom management and emergency department follow-up, and telephone interviews are as reliable as face-to-face interviews. Portable videophones can now be used with analog telephone lines, and videophones have been satisfactory for home health care to frail elderly patients. However, there is no evidence that videophones are superior to audiophones for care delivery. This study is evaluating whether wellness coaching delivered to obese patients by videophone is any more effective than wellness coaching delivered by audiophone. Outcome comparisons include: 1) improved self-care; 2) improved self-concept; 3) improved health-promoting behaviors; 4) wellness-care satisfaction; and 5) weight loss. Results will also describe usability and barrier factors associated with videophone use.