Clinical Observation of Implementing the MedGem Into a Medical Specialty Practice
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?
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients with a BMI (Body Mass Index > 30.0 kg/m2)

 -  Patients Diagnosed with any of the following ICD-9 Codes: Hypertension (401.1),
 Hypercholesterolemia (272.1), and/or Hyperlipdemia (272.2-4)

 -  Patients diagnosed with a secondary ICD-9 Code: Obesity (278) or Morbid Obesity
 (278.01)

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients that are pregnant

 -  Patients under the age of 18 years