SUN-825 Designing a Weight Bias Curriculum: A Qualitative Analysis of Standardized Patient Experiences

Abstract Disclosure: R. Mamtani: None. C. Maskart: None. D. LaMarra: None. S. Cardillo: None. Background: Weight bias in healthcare negatively impacts patient experiences and outcomes. Standardized patients (SPs) who have personally experienced or observed weight bias during clinical encounters may provide valuable insights into how medical trainees communicate about weight. This study aimed to assess SP experiences with weight bias to inform future curricula and interventions. Methods: This study reports the findings of a survey disseminated to the SP program at our institution. The survey invitation asked those who have had had experiences with or observed weight bias during clinical encounters to complete the survey. 18 individuals completed the survey which included open ended questions to assess SP experiences with weight bias. No incentives were offered to participants. The responses were inputted into excel for coding. Analysis included coding of the data set by two authors (RM and SC). Investigators used a constructivist lens when reviewing the coded data set to identify emerging themes. Results: Our qualitative analysis identified several themes including: 1) Emotional impact (SPs described feelings of frustration and decreased self-worth during weight-related discussions. Participants reported that providers implied that their weight issues were entirely within their control, leading to feelings of blame.), 2) Concerns about word choice (SPs described encounters where providers used language that felt accusatory, including suggesting that patients "just need to try harder,” and stigmatizing, using terms such as “morbidly obese.”), 3) Provider Assumptions (SPs noted providers would assume non-compliance without asking. SPs described instances where they were incorrectly assumed to have weight-related medical conditions. SPs prefered for providers to ask permission to discuss weight, rather than assuming the SP was ready to discuss weight.) 4) Lack of detailed evaluation (SPs shared instances where medical concerns were overlooked because providers attributed symptoms solely to weight.) 5) Patient-Centered Care (SPs emphasized the importance of collaborative discussions about weight with a patient-focused rather than weight-focused approach. 6) Education Needs (SPs expressed a desire for provider training on weight bias and education on the complexity of obesity.) Conclusion: Our study highlights SP experiences with weight bias in the clinical setting with medical trainees. These results underscore the necessity of integrating weight bias education into medical training, with an emphasis on respectful language and patient-centered care. These insights will directly inform future interventions including a curriculum designed to equip medical trainees with the skills to navigate weight-related discussions in a non-stigmatizing way. Presentation: Sunday, July 13, 2025