NCT06529666 · University of Massachusetts, Worcester
Medical Residents Learning Weight Management Counseling Skills
(MRWeight)
What this study is about
The goal of this study is to addresses the lack of weight management training physicians receive during their residency training. The main questions it aims to answer are: * How affective is the MRWeight curriculum at increasing medical residents weight management counseling (WMC) skills.
View original scientific description
The goal of this study is to addresses the lack of weight management training physicians receive during their residency training. The main questions it aims to answer are: * How affective is the MRWeight curriculum at increasing medical residents weight management counseling (WMC) skills. * Evaluate residents' adoption of WMC skills in encounters with their patients * what would be the best way to get residents to adopt the WMC skills Residents in the comparison group will receive a course on obesity and weight management. The residents in the intervention group will have to attend 2 informational sessions and will receive 6 email modules on WMC. Both groups will also take part in 3 assessments over the course of 18 months to see which group has better WMC skills.
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL
Didatic Session 1: Core Foundation Course
A 45-minute foundational presentation covering key Weight Management Counseling (WMC) concepts, obesity bias, and cultural humility facilitated by a trained clinician-educator at the residency program delivered at baseline.
BEHAVIORAL
The 3Ps Program
6 email modules delivered over months 2-8). Each 3P module will allow the resident to: (1) Prepare: Review relevant concepts and demonstration videos sent via an email to prepare for completing the VCA vignettes; (2) Practice: Respond to brief vignettes of various 5As WMC challenging scenarios by audio recording their spoken response on the VCA tool; and (3) Process: Reflect on actionable expert and crowdsourced analogue patient feedback on the quality of their responses to each VCA vignette.
BEHAVIORAL
Didactic session 2
(months 8-10): This 45-minute session will discuss key barriers to WMC adoption in clinical practice using real-world cases captured from residents facilitated by a trained clinician-educator at the residency program.
BEHAVIORAL
Email reinforcement
2 emails in months 10-12 covering key concepts in the preceding components.
BEHAVIORAL
PowerPoint of the foundational course
Residents will receive a core foundation slides on weight management counselling
Primary outcome measures
WMC skills VCA (video Communications assessment) assessment
Time frame: Completed during month 1 and again at month 12 post recruitment.
Residents in both arms will be asked to complete the assessment VCA vignettes that will include a series of vignettes representing challenging cases. 4-6 trained raters blinded to the residents' study arm (intervention vs. comparison) will rate the residents' responses.
Change in WMC skills assessment
Time frame: Completed during months 1, 12 and 18 post recruitment.
This measure will be assessed using an online survey at baseline (study start), at 12 months, and 18 months.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- All PGY1 residents in participating sites Inclusion Criteria for participating site:
- The program is willing and able to incorporate the MRWeight program into the PGY1 core curriculum.
- The residency director will allow PGY1s to complete surveys and curriculum evaluations online or in class and to complete a standardized assessment of their knowledge and use of WMC, and
- The site will allow inclusion of three successive cohorts of PGY1s to ensure more than a sufficient number of residents to adequately test the effect of the intervention
Where
- Palo Alto, California
- Sacramento, California
- Boston, Massachusetts
- East Setauket, New York
- The Bronx, New York
- Hershey, Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Houston, Texas
Collaborators
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Penn State University, The Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Boston University, Stanford University, Temple University, University of California, Davis, Stony Brook University
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
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Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
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Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Sep 10, 2025 · Source of record for eligibility and locations