Grant: DRA : Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral Program (CGRS D)

In Canada, one in three adults are living with obesity, and the rates of obesity continue to rise, with 10% of premature deaths being directly attributed to obesity. Individuals with obesity often develop health complications, requiring acute care services including emergency department visits and hospitalizations. There is evidence of inequalities in care within Ontario emergency departments, where patients with obesity wait significantly longer for assessments, spend on average three hours longer in the emergency department, and are given less urgent triage scores compared to patients of the same sex, age, and diagnosis. These findings highlight gaps in equitable care for Canadians with obesity, underscoring the need for research that can inform system-level improvements. Although these disparities are evident within the current Canadian healthcare context, the underlying reasons remain unclear. Therefore, this project will (1) examine healthcare utilization patterns, needs, and satisfaction across different weight statuses using a large population dataset, the Canadian Community Health Survey 2018-2023; and (2) employ a online survey of acute care nurses given their frontline role in providing care within acute care settings, to evaluate bariatric preparedness, training, and capacity within Canadian healthcare. This work aims to advance our understanding of how Canadians living with obesity engage with and experience the healthcare system, while also identifying gaps in bariatric preparedness. Together, these insights can be used to guide policy development, inform decisions regarding resource allocation, and training programs for healthcare professionals, with the aim of promoting more inclusive and equitable care.