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Expert Opinion on the Utility of Telemedicine in Obesity Care: Recommendations on a Hybrid Multidisciplinary Integrated Care Follow-Up Algorithm

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The proposed expert opinion was prepared by a panel of obesity and law specialists from Turkey to review the utility of telemedicine in obesity care and to provide a guidance document with recommendations on a hybrid multidisciplinary integrated care follow-up algorithm and the legislation governing telemedicine practice to assist obesity specialists in practicing the telemedicine.

Recent Findings

The efficacy and feasibility of telemedicine interventions in supporting obesity management programs even during pandemics confirm that obesity is a particularly well-suited field for telemedicine, emphasizing the strong likelihood of continued utilization of telemedicine in obesity management, beyond the pandemic period.

Summary

Telemedicine has great potential to address several barriers to ongoing weight-management care, such as challenges of access to specialized care, cost, and time limitations as well as patient adherence to treatment. However, telemedicine practice should complement rather than replace the in-person visits which are unique in building rapport and offering social support. Accordingly, the participating experts recommend the use of a hybrid integrated care model in the management of obesity, with the use of telemedicine, as an adjunct to in-person visits, to enable the provision of suggested intensive obesity management via frequent visits by a multidisciplinary team of obesity specialists. Further research addressing the utility of telemedicine in terms of optimal modality and duration for successful long-term obesity management outcomes is necessary to develop specific guidelines on telemedicine practice. In addition, the legislation governing the norms and protocols on confidentiality, privacy, access, and liability needs to be improved.

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Data Availability

The data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

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Funding

This expert panel study was supported by Novo Nordisk Turkey. Editorial support was provided by KAPPA Consultancy Training Research Ltd., Istanbul, Turkey (supported by Novo Nordisk).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey

    Fahri Bayram

  2. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ankara Guven Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Alper Sonmez

  3. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Health Sciences Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey

    Sinem Kiyici

  4. Department of Internal Medicine, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Feray Akbas

  5. Department of Coaching Education, Sport Health Sciences, Marmara University Faculty of Sports Science, Istanbul, Turkey

    Meral Kucuk Yetgin

  6. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Koc University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey

    Dilek Yazici

  7. Department of General Surgery, Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey

    Asim Cingi

  8. Department of Family Medicine, Istanbul Medeniyet University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey

    Mehmet Sargin

  9. Private Clinical Psychology Office, Istanbul, Turkey

    Seniz Unal

  10. Department of Internal Medicine, Nutrition Science, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ceren Iseri

  11. Department of Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure Law, Turkish-German University Faculty of Law, Istanbul, Turkey

    Fatih Selami Mahmutoglu

  12. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey

    Volkan Demirhan Yumuk

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  1. Fahri Bayram
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  9. Seniz Unal
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the discussion and preparation of the expert opinion and critically revised and approved the manuscript, and the authors take full responsibility for the contents of the article.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sinem Kiyici.

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Conflict of Interest

Fahri Bayram participated in clinical studies and adboard meetings conducted by Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Abbott, Sanovel, Novartis, Sandoz, Bilim ilaç, Astrazeneca, Pfizer, Ali raif, Econix and Sanofi. Alper Sonmez was involved as the principal investigator in several phase 3 studies conducted by Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Sanofi, participated in adboard meetings performed by Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, AstraZeneca, Eczacıbaşı, Econix, Roche Diagnostics and took grants congress from Bilim Ilaç, Novo Nordisk and AstraZeneca. Volkan Yumuk participated in speakers’ bureaus and advisory board meetings performed by Novo Nordisk. Sinem Kiyici received speaking fees paid to her Institution for Novo Nordisk, Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca, Servier, Abbott and Novartis. Other authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Bayram, F., Sonmez, A., Kiyici, S. et al. Expert Opinion on the Utility of Telemedicine in Obesity Care: Recommendations on a Hybrid Multidisciplinary Integrated Care Follow-Up Algorithm. Curr Obes Rep 13, 167–182 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-023-00541-0

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