3086-LB: Impact of an Online CME Activity on Primary Care Clinician Knowledge, Competence, and Confidence in Obesity Management

Introduction and Objective: Primary care clinicians (PCCs), including physicians and advanced practice providers, often struggle to apply obesity management guidelines. This study evaluated the impact of an on-demand continuing medical education (CME) activity on the knowledge, competence, and confidence of PCCs in treating people with obesity. Methods: The intervention was a 60-min activity with reflection and case-based discussion with point-of-care tools. Impact was measured via a linked pre- and post-assessment design. Statistical significance was tested using McNemar’s tests and paired samples t-tests (P < .05); educational effect size was measured using Cohen’s d. Confidence was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. Data were collected from October to December 2025. Results: The activity reached 2,258 PCCs. Analysis of paired data from 740 PCCs was included in this study: Overall, ≥ 61% of PCCs improved their knowledge/competence, with a large educational effect size (P < .001; Cohen’s d ≥ 0.98). Knowledge of the latest clinical evidence and guideline-based recommendations for the management of obesity increased by ≥ 19% for PCCs. Competence with appropriate and comprehensive obesity management plans according to the latest guidelines and evidence-based recommendations of ≥ 30% for PCCs. Mean confidence in developing care plans shifted (+ 0.39 - 0.59). Behavior change: Overall, 84% of PCCs intended to change screening or treatment practices and 32% of PCCs intended to modify treatment plans for people with obesity. Remaining Gap: High baseline knowledge scores suggest that while clinicians understand guidelines, they remain less adept at application into cohesive patient care plans. Conclusion: This online CME activity successfully improved PCCs knowledge, competence, and confidence regarding obesity management. Significant gains in formulating treatment plans suggest that on-demand CME is effective at bridging gaps between guideline knowledge and clinical application.