Barriers to Participation in a Telemedicine-based, Family-based Behavioral Group Treatment Program for Pediatric Obesity: Qualitative findings from Rural Caregivers.

Abstract

This study examined factors influencing rural caregivers' decision to decline participation in a healthy lifestyle intervention. Eligible caregivers of rural children who declined participation in a healthy lifestyle intervention were interviewed regarding reasons for declining. Inductive thematic analyses were conducted for responses. Caregiver interviews (n=16) resulted in 5 saturated themes: (1) rural families' household schedules prohibit participation, (2) preference for diverse treatment approaches, (3) desire for information across multimedia platforms, and more communication with a point-of-contact, (4) support for an inclusive approach integrated with existing school practices, and (5) caregivers had an understanding of behaviors that promote health.