People with chronic health conditions report high rates of negative body image, which can have significant impacts on well-being. Despite evidence that patients want to discuss body image with healthcare providers, and that health professionals view these concerns as important, body dissatisfaction is rarely assessed or addressed. In fact, research suggests that health professionals report key knowledge and confidence gaps which impede conversations about body image. 

This project aims to understand the key training needs of health professionals working with people experiencing long-term medical conditions. In particular, it will investigate current approaches to practice, barriers to conversations about body image, and preferences for training to support this important aspect of healthcare. The findings will inform the development of training programs that are sensitive to the unique needs and preferences of the diverse health professionals working in this context, ensuring that health professionals are empowered to talk about body image in healthcare.