Final answer:
The best way to help patients change behaviors effectively is through a combination of providing information, setting realistic goals, and offering support and encouragement. Evidence-based behavioral interventions are designed to be comprehensive, cater to individual needs, and are proven to result in significant health benefits.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best way to help patients successfully change behaviors encompasses a comprehensive approach that includes providing information and instructions, setting realistic goals and creating a plan, and offering emotional support and encouragement. This multi-faceted strategy ensures that patients are not only informed about the changes they need to make but also have a clear, attainable roadmap along with the necessary psychological support to help them along their journey. Behavioral interventions have been effective in achieving clinically significant weight loss, improving cardiometabolic risk factors, and in maintaining these health benefits over time. Tailored interventions by a team comprising primary care clinicians, dietitians, psychologists, and others are necessary to address the multifaceted nature of behavior change, providing patients with education, goal-setting techniques, and strategies for relapse prevention.
Research has shown that involvement of behavioral intervention teams contributes to at least 5 percent weight loss from baseline, which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers to be clinically significant. Programs often provide support through group classes, utilizing both print-based and technology-based materials and may span over the course of one to two years. Initial frequent contact is followed by less frequent sessions as the patients progress into the maintenance phase. Topics covered may include nutrition education, goal-setting, problem-solving, assertiveness, and relapse prevention.