Attitudes Toward Injectable GLP‐1 Drugs for Obesity Treatment: A Qualitative Interview Study With Healthcare Professionals

ABSTRACT Background Injectable GLP‐1 drugs such as semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, a dual GLP‐1 and GIP receptor agonist) can help individuals living with obesity to lose weight. UK guidelines currently recommend semaglutide and other injectable GLP‐1 drugs are prescribed in specialist (Tier 3) multidisciplinary weight management services, and other settings. The study aimed to explore the views of healthcare professionals, working within a specialist weight management service that was not yet prescribing injectable GLP‐1 drugs, about these drugs being prescribed in their service in the future. Methods In‐depth interviews were conducted with 11 healthcare professionals; thematic analysis was used to identify themes. Results Thirteen main themes were identified within four theme clusters. Knowledge : (1) knowledge sources; (2) levels of current understanding. Perceived benefits : the drugs (3) might increase patients' confidence in their ability to lose weight and (4) provide a valuable middle ground treatment option between interpersonal behavioral support and bariatric surgery. Concerns : (5) patients might gain weight when they stop taking the drugs; the drugs might (6) mask behavioral patterns, (7) decrease patients' engagement with interpersonal behavior change support, and (8) have mental health risks. Service provision considerations : providing interpersonal behavior change support (9) before, (10) alongside, and (11) after stopping drug prescriptions were provided, (12) the drug prescription pathway is experimental, and (13) the role of healthcare professionals in specialist weight management services is evolving. Conclusions The findings highlight several areas for further research and practice, including how specialist weight management service teams might integrate interpersonal behavioral support and injectable GLP‐1 drug prescriptions to best help patients in the future.