Training medical residents in weight management counseling skills

MRWeight: Medical Residents Learning Weight Management Counseling Skills -- A Multi-Modal, Technology-Assisted, Spaced Education Program

Not applicable Interventional University of Massachusetts, Worcester · NCT06529666

This study tests a new training program to see if it can help medical residents improve their skills in counseling patients about weight management.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment630 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Massachusetts, Worcester Academic / other
Locations8 sites (Palo Alto, California and 7 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06529666 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to improve the weight management counseling (WMC) skills of medical residents by implementing the MRWeight curriculum, which includes didactic sessions, email modules, and assessments over 18 months. The intervention group will participate in two informational sessions and receive six email modules, while the comparison group will take a course on obesity and weight management. The effectiveness of the curriculum will be evaluated through assessments to determine which group demonstrates better WMC skills. The study addresses the critical gap in training that residents receive regarding obesity management, which is essential for treating related health conditions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are first-year medical residents (PGY1) at participating residency programs.

Not a fit: Patients who are not in residency training or those who are not involved in the medical education process will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly enhance the ability of physicians to counsel patients on weight management, leading to better health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success in using structured curricula to improve counseling skills in medical education, suggesting that this approach may be effective.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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 this trial is running

Palo Alto, California and 7 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Weight Management Counselingweight management counselingInternship and Residencyskills and adoption
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.