Clinical Observation of Implementing the MedGem Into a Medical Specialty Practice

Due to common CVD diseases associated from obesity, medical providers are in a position to
provide assistance. However, less than 10% of all patients receive any weight loss advice
from physicians. Perceived barriers to weight loss counseling include lack of self-control
of their patients and belief that recommendation is futile, lack of medical training in
nutrition, exercise, and obesity management, and lack of insurance reimbursement. Though
many barriers are prevalent, research has demonstrated a positive effect with medical advice
on the number of obese individuals attempting to lose weight. Analyzing data from the 1996
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, researchers found, when advised to lose weight
by a physician, 78% of overweight patients reported attempting to lose weight. However, if
their physician did not discuss weight loss, only 33% of patients within the same BMI
category attempted to do so 7. From this information, physicians or allied health staff that
provide brief counseling (5-10 minute) along with medical technology that provides basic
nutrition assessment might have a positive impact on the number CVD patients that are obese
attempting to lose weight.

HYPOTHESIS: Will a medical specialty clinic focused on cardiovascular medicine successfully
be able to implement the MedGem device for assessment of basic nutritional needs along with
providing “brief” patient education into the medical practice without a house dietitian.

PRIMARY AIMS

1. Can medical staff and/or support staff provide REE assessments (15-minutes) and brief
patient education (5-15 minutes) as part of the clinic’s operations?

2. Will a third-party payer compensate the Medical Specialty Clinic for the diagnostic
procedure CPT Code 94690 for obese patients diagnosed with hypertension (401.1-9,
402.10-11, & 402.90-91), hypercholesterolemia (272.1), and/or hyperlipdemia (272.2)?

SECONDARY AIMS

1. Does self-efficacy increase from REE assessments?

2. Do patients adopt healthy eating (Calorie Reduction and Fat Reduction)following REE
assessments?