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Patient-Centered Care & Research
Patient-Centered Care & Research
Patient-centered care is a foundational principle guiding all research conducted in the Nutrition, Health Behavior and Obesity Research Lab. We view individuals living with obesity not only as research participants, but as active partners whose experiences, priorities, and perspectives are essential to understanding obesity and improving care.
This approach is grounded in long-standing clinical experience in obesity and bariatric care and is embedded across all stages of the lab’s research activity, from study design to interpretation and dissemination of findings.
Patient-Centered Research in Practice
Patient-Centered Research in Practice
Across our studies, patient-centered research is implemented through:
Integration of patient-reported outcomes addressing physical, psychological, behavioral, and quality-of-life domains
Use of qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to capture lived experiences of obesity and its treatments
Attention to patient-identified challenges, unmet needs, and real-world constraints
Design of interventions that are feasible, acceptable, and meaningful to patients
This approach ensures that research outputs are not only scientifically rigorous, but also relevant and applicable to clinical practice.
Co-Development and Stakeholder Engagement
Co-Development and Stakeholder Engagement
Many projects in the lab involve structured co-development processes, in which patients, clinicians, and other stakeholders actively contribute to:
Shaping research questions and priorities
Informing intervention content and delivery formats
Refining outcome measures
Interpreting findings and identifying implications for care
Stakeholder engagement is a core component of the lab’s work on adjunct behavioral interventions for bariatric surgery and obesity management medications.
Partnership with Patients
Partnership with Patients
Patient-partners play an active and meaningful role in the lab’s research. They contribute experiential knowledge that complements clinical and academic expertise and helps ensure that research remains grounded in patient realities.
Liya Mashiah, a patient-partner in the lab, is involved in varied projects through participation in study planning, feedback on research materials, and consultation on patient-relevant outcomes and intervention content. Her involvement supports the development of research and interventions that are more responsive, inclusive, and aligned with patients’ lived experiences.
“As the ECPO (The European Coalition for People living with Obesity) patient Representative in Israel, I share the real-life perspective of people living with obesity. My goal is to improve the way patients and healthcare providers communicate and work together. I am dedicated to ending the stigma and bias that often come with this disease. By using People-First Language, I help ensure that we see the person first, not just their medical condition. My mission is to change the conversation so every patient receives the respect and support they deserve”.
Learn More About Ongoing Projects
Learn More About Ongoing Projects
You can learn more about two of our current projects developed in partnership with patients below.
CLIMB (Co-developing Lifestyle Interventions for Medication-Based Obesity Treatment)
CLIMB (Co-developing Lifestyle Interventions for Medication-Based Obesity Treatment)
A multi-phase mixed-methods research program including patients and clinicians surveys and qualitative interviews with patients to inform the development of an adjunct behavioral intervention to accompany incretin-based obesity medications
STEP-UP
STEP-UP
A theory-informed behavioral intervention designed to support engagement with healthy lifestyle behaviors following metabolic bariatric surgery. The project focuses on behavioral adherence, patient engagement, and functional recovery in the post-surgical period, among at risk population.
Conducted at Hadassah–Ein Kerem Medical Center in collaboration with the bariatric surgery clinic
Get Involved
Get Involved
We welcome individuals living with obesity, patients undergoing weight loss surgery, and those treated with obesity management medications who are interested in learning more about our research or becoming involved in future projects.
Patient involvement in our lab may include:
Serving as a patient-partner in research planning and development
Providing feedback on study materials and intervention components
Assisting in the development of qualitative interviews or surveys
Contributing to co-development workshops and advisory activities
Participating in knowledge dissemination through presentations, panel discussions, and events
If you are interested in receiving information about ongoing or upcoming studies, or would like to explore opportunities for involvement as a patient-partner, we invite you to contact us
For inquiries
For inquiries
Please email us at: tbenporat@univ.haifa.ac.il
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